Point detector sleeve for railroad switch machine and associated method

A point detector sleeve for use in a railroad switch machine, the point detector sleeve comprising:

• a tube portion including a beveled surface disposed at an end thereof, the beveled surface being structured to be engageable with a cam follower;
• an adjustment portion connected with the tube portion and disposed opposite the beveled surface;
• the tube portion and the adjustment portion being integrally formed with one another as a monolithic member, whereby the point detector sleeve is substantially free of joints between the tube portion and the adjustment portion;
• the adjustment portion including an internally threaded region;
• and
• at least a first tool engagement surface being disposed on the point detector sleeve;
• in which the at least first tool engagement surface includes a pair of spaced apart flats.

A point detector sleeve for use in a railroad switch machine, the point detector sleeve comprising:

• a tube portion including a beveled surface disposed at an end thereof, the beveled surface being structured to be engageable with a cam follower;
• an adjustment portion connected with the tube portion and disposed opposite the beveled surface;
• the tube portion and the adjustment portion being integrally formed with one another as a monolithic member, whereby the point detector sleeve is substantially free of joints between the tube portion and the adjustment portion;
• the adjustment portion including an internally threaded region;
• and
• at least a first tool engagement surface being disposed on the point detector sleeve;
• in which the adjustment portion further includes an insert having an externally threaded surface and an internally threaded surface, the externally threaded surface of the insert being threadably cooperable with the internally threaded region, of the adjustment portion, the internally threaded surface of the insert being structured to cooperate threadably with a point detector bar.

A method of forming a point detector sleeve for use in a railroad switch machine, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing an elongated pipe having a substantially cylindrical outer surface and being formed with a substantially cylindrical primary cavity, the primary cavity being coaxially aligned with the outer surface;
• performing a cutting operation on the primary cavity from a first end of the pipe with a rotary cutting tool to form a substantially cylindrical inner surface that is coaxially aligned with the outer surface and that defines a tube portion of the pipe;
• forming an internally threaded region on the pipe to define an adjustment portion of the pipe, the internally threaded region being coaxially aligned with the outer surface and being structured to cooperate threadably with a point detector bar;
• providing at least a first tool engagement surface on the pipe;
• and
• forming a beveled surface on the tube portion at the first end.

A method of forming a point detector sleeve for use in a railroad switch machine, the method comprising:

• providing an elongated pipe having a substantially cylindrical outer surface and being formed with a substantially cylindrical primary cavity, the primary cavity being coaxially aligned with the outer surface;
• performing a cutting operation on the primary cavity from a first end of the pipe with a rotary cutting tool to form a substantially cylindrical inner surface that is coaxially aligned with the outer surface and that defines a tube portion of the pipe;
• forming an internally threaded region on the pipe to define an adjustment portion of the pipe, the internally threaded region being coaxially aligned with the outer surface and being structured to cooperate threadably with a point detector bar;
• providing at least a first tool engagement surface on the pipe;
• and
• forming a beveled surface on the tube portion at the first end;
• in which the step of providing at least a first tool engagement surface on the pipe includes the step of forming a pair of spaced apart flats on the adjustment portion.

A method of forming a point detector sleeve for use in a railroad switch machine, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing an elongated pipe having a substantially cylindrical outer surface and being formed with a substantially cylindrical primary cavity, the primary cavity being coaxially aligned with the outer surface;
• forming a beveled surface at a first end of the pipe;
• forming an internally threaded region at a second end of the pipe, the internally threaded region being coaxially aligned with the outer surface of the pipe;
• and
• providing at least a first tool engagement surface on the pipe.

A method of forming a point detector sleeve for use in a railroad switch machine, the method comprising:

• providing an elongated pipe having a substantially cylindrical outer surface and being formed with a substantially cylindrical primary cavity, the primary cavity being coaxially aligned with the outer surface;
• forming a beveled surface at a first end of the pipe;
• forming an internally threaded region at a second end of the pipe, the internally threaded region being coaxially aligned with the outer surface of the pipe;
• and
• providing at least a first tool engagement surface on the pipe;
• in which the step of providing at least a first tool engagement surface on the pipe includes the step of forming a pair of spaced apart flats on the outer surface.

A switch machine comprising:

• a power apparatus;
• a locking apparatus;
• and
• a detection apparatus;
• the detection apparatus including a point detector sleeve, a point detector bar having an externally threaded region, a cam follower, and an indication system;
• the point detector sleeve including a tube portion, an adjustment portion, and at least a first tool engagement surface;
• the tube portion including a beveled surface disposed at an end of the tube portion, the beveled surface being engageable with the cam follower;
• the adjustment portion being connected with the tube portion and disposed opposite the beveled surface;
• the tube portion and the adjustment portion being integrally formed with one another as a monolithic member, whereby the point detector sleeve is substantially free of joints between the tube portion and the adjustment portion;
• the adjustment portion including an internally threaded region;
• and
• the least first tool engagement surface being disposed on the point detector sleeve.

A switch machine comprising:

• a power apparatus;
• a locking apparatus;
• and
• a detection apparatus;
• the detection apparatus including a point detector sleeve, a point detector bar having an externally threaded region, a cam follower, and an indication system;
• the point detector sleeve including a tube portion, an adjustment portion, and at least a first tool engagement surface;
• the tube portion including a beveled surface disposed at an end of the tube portion, the beveled surface being engageable with the cam follower;
• the adjustment portion being connected with the tube portion and disposed opposite the beveled surface;
• the tube portion and the adjustment portion being integrally formed with one another as a monolithic member, whereby the point detector sleeve is substantially free of joints between the tube portion and the adjustment portion;
• the adjustment portion including an internally threaded region;
• and
• the least first tool engagement surface being disposed on the point detector sleeve;
• in which the adjustment portion further includes an insert having an externally threaded surface and an internally threaded surface, the externally threaded surface of the insert being threadably cooperable with the internally threaded region of the adjustment portion, the internally threaded surface of the insert being structured to cooperate threadably with a point detector bar.