Patent ID: 7909294

Claim:
A switch stand for operating a railroad switch in a trailing operation, moving points of the railroad switch from a set position to permit passage of railroad rolling stock through the switch in the trailing operation, the switch stand comprising: a housing mounted adjacent the railroad switch; a shaft mounted in the housing and connected to the railroad switch, the shaft being rotatable to permit movement of the railroad switch when the switch is contacted by a wheel of the rolling stock in a trailing operation; a contact block member mounted in the housing with the shaft, the contact block member moving along a longitudinal axis of the shaft, but being restrained against rotational movement with respect to the shaft and housing as the shaft rotates; a guide roller member rotatably mounted on the contact block member; a plate member fixedly mountable with the shaft for rotational movement therewith to cause rotational movement of the shaft with respect to the housing in response to movement of the railroad switch when the switch is contacted by a wheel of the rolling stock in a trailing operation; the plate member having a camming surface along a portion thereof engaging the guide roller member; the plate member further having locking detents formed therein; a resilient member located in the housing below the contact block member, the resilient member urging the guide roller member against the camming surface of the plate member, the resilient member exerting force on the plate member to return the plate member to a position causing the switch to return to the normal position on removal of contact of the rolling stock wheel against the switch; a cap mounted with the shaft for rotational movement therewith and having control detents formed therein; and a control lever mounted with the cap and selectively movable into engagement with one of the control detents in the cap to interconnect the shaft and the cap and allow rotational movement thereof during trailing operation of the switch stand.