Switch Point Roller Assembly

Abstract

The disclosed solution generally relates to a switch point roller assembly. The switch point roller assembly is configured to be operatively connected to a switch point within a railway switch. The switch point roller assembly comprises a spring, a bolt assembly, a roller assembly, a housing assembly, and a base plate. The base plate may be secured such that the roller assembly is in substantial contact with a railway plate during movement of the switch point-such that the operation of the switch point is improved. As such, the switch point is more resilient to wear thus leading to decreased maintenance costs and increased safety for personnel, passengers, and property.

1 . A switch point roller assembly configured for operation at or near a switch point of a railway switch, the switch point roller assembly comprising:
 a spring;   a bolt assembly;   a roller assembly comprising a roller and an axle retainer, wherein the axle retainer is operatively connected to the bolt assembly, wherein the roller assembly is adjustable by the bolt assembly;   a housing assembly comprising a housing, wherein the housing assembly is operatively connected to the roller assembly via the bolt assembly, wherein the housing assembly is further operatively connected to the roller assembly; and   a base plate configured to attach to the switch point, wherein the base plate comprises a spring support, wherein the spring is supported by the spring support and is in contact with the housing assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The switch point roller assembly of  claim 1 , the bolt assembly further comprising:
 a nut; and   a bolt comprising:
 a first bolt segment having a first diameter and threaded; 
 a second bolt segment having a second diameter, the second diameter being smaller than the first diameter; 
 a third bolt segment having a third diameter, the third diameter being smaller than the second diameter; and 
 a hex head providing adjustment of the bolt. 
   
     
     
         3 . The switch point roller assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the roller assembly further comprises:
 a first axle disposed within the roller and the axle retainer;   a first bushing in contact with the bolt assembly;   a retaining ring retaining the bolt assembly at the axle retainer;   a plurality of needle bearings providing rotation of the roller about the first axle;   a first plurality of holes supporting the first axle; and   a first hole accommodating the first bushing.   
     
     
         4 . The switch point roller assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the housing assembly further comprises:
 a plurality of bushings;   a second axle disposed within the plurality of bushings;   a plurality of retaining rings configured to retain the second axle; and   a set screw configured to contact the second axle.   
     
     
         5 . The switch point roller assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the housing further comprises:
 a second plurality of holes configured to accommodate the plurality of bushings; and   a second hole configured to accommodate the bolt assembly.   
     
     
         6 . The switch point roller assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the base plate further comprises:
 a protrusion having a third hole, the third hole being configured to accommodate the housing assembly, wherein the protrusion further comprises a threaded hole, wherein the threaded hole is oriented perpendicularly to the third hole and is configured to receive a set screw; and   a plurality of slots configured to attach the base plate to the switch point.   
     
     
         7 . The switch point roller assembly of  claim 1 , the spring support further comprising:
 an inner spring support; and   an outer spring support, wherein the spring is supported, at an inner diameter of the spring, via the inner spring support, wherein the spring is further supported, at an outer diameter of the spring, via the outer spring support.   
     
     
         8 . The switch point roller assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the spring is polymer, polyester, urethane, hardened steel, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The switch point roller assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the roller is polymer, polyester, urethane, hardened steel, sealed glass having a nylon interior, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The switch point roller assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the housing further comprises:
 a first plurality of surfaces;   a second plurality of surfaces, wherein the nut is configured to substantially secure the bolt to a first surface within the first plurality of surfaces, wherein the spring is configured to be disposed between the base plate and a second surface within the second plurality of surfaces; and   a third plurality of surfaces, wherein the roller assembly is disposed partially within the housing with respect to the third plurality of surfaces.   
     
     
         11 . A kit configured for operation at or near a railway switch, the kit comprising:
 a switch point; and   a switch point roller assembly comprising:
 a spring; 
 a bolt assembly; 
 a roller assembly comprising a roller and an axle retainer, wherein the axle retainer is operatively connected to the bolt assembly, wherein the roller assembly is adjustable by the bolt assembly; 
 a housing assembly comprising a housing, wherein the housing assembly is operatively connected to the roller assembly via the bolt assembly, wherein the housing assembly is further operatively connected to the roller assembly; and 
 a base plate configured to attach to the switch point, wherein the base plate comprises a spring support, wherein the spring is supported by the spring support and is in contact with the housing assembly. 
   
     
     
         12 . The kit of  claim 11 , the bolt assembly further comprising:
 a nut; and   a bolt comprising:
 a first bolt segment having a first diameter and threaded; 
 a second bolt segment having a second diameter, the second diameter being smaller than the first diameter; 
 a third bolt segment having a third diameter, the third diameter being smaller than the second diameter; and 
 a hex head providing adjustment of the bolt. 
   
     
     
         13 . The kit of  claim 11 , wherein the roller assembly further comprises:
 a first axle disposed within the roller and the axle retainer;   a first bushing in contact with the bolt assembly;   a retaining ring retaining the bolt assembly at the axle retainer;   a plurality of needle bearings providing rotation of the roller about the first axle;   a first plurality of holes supporting the first axle; and   a first hole accommodating the first bushing.   
     
     
         14 . The kit of  claim 11 , wherein the housing assembly further comprises:
 a plurality of bushings;   a second axle disposed within the plurality of bushings;   a plurality of retaining rings configured to retain the second axle; and   a set screw configured to contact the second axle.   
     
     
         15 . The kit of  claim 11 , wherein the housing further comprises:
 a second plurality of holes configured to accommodate the plurality of bushings; and   a second hole configured to accommodate the bolt assembly.   
     
     
         16 . The kit of  claim 11 , wherein the base plate further comprises:
 a protrusion having a third hole, the third hole being configured to accommodate the housing assembly, wherein the protrusion further comprises a threaded hole, wherein the threaded hole is oriented perpendicularly to the third hole and is configured to receive a set screw; and   a plurality of slots configured to attach the base plate to the switch point.   
     
     
         17 . The kit of  claim 11 , the spring support further comprising:
 an inner spring support; and   an outer spring support, wherein the spring is supported, at an inner diameter of the spring, via the inner spring support, wherein the spring is further supported, at an outer diameter of the spring, via the outer spring support.   
     
     
         18 . The kit of  claim 11 , wherein the spring is polymer, polyester, urethane, hardened steel, or a combination thereof, and wherein the roller is polymer, polyester, urethane, hardened steel, sealed glass having a nylon interior, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         19 . The kit of  claim 11 , wherein the housing further comprises:
 a first plurality of surfaces;   a second plurality of surfaces, wherein the nut is configured to substantially secure the bolt to a first surface within the first plurality of surfaces, wherein the spring is configured to be disposed between the base plate and a second surface within the second plurality of surfaces; and   a third plurality of surfaces, wherein the roller assembly is disposed partially within the housing with respect to the third plurality of surfaces.   
     
     
         20 . A switch point roller assembly configured for operation at or near a switch point of a railway switch, the switch point roller assembly comprising:
 a spring;   a bolt assembly;   a roller assembly comprising a roller and an axle retainer, wherein the axle retainer is operatively connected to the bolt assembly, wherein the roller assembly is adjustable by the bolt assembly;   a housing assembly comprising a housing, wherein the housing assembly is operatively connected to the roller assembly via the bolt assembly, wherein the housing assembly is further operatively connected to the roller assembly; and   a base plate configured to attach to the switch point, wherein the base plate comprises a spring support, wherein the spring is supported by the spring support and is in contact with the housing assembly, the spring support comprising an inner spring support and an outer spring support, wherein the spring is supported, at an inner diameter of the spring, via the inner spring support, wherein the spring is further supported, at an outer diameter of the spring, via the outer spring support.