Rudolf Herrmann

Title: Rudolf Herrmann’s Patents for Railway Points-Setting Locks.

Introduction

Rudolf Herrmann is an inventor associated with Winterthur, Switzerland, and Siemens Schweiz AG. His patent work includes mechanisms designed to secure lock-bearing screws in railway points-setting arrangements. He is credited with 2 patents.

Latest Patents

Herrmann’s listed patents concern a pawl lock with a closure clamp screw. The inventions address how a lock-bearing screw, which passes through the foot of a setting tongue, can be tightened securely while allowing its head to be aligned with a safety plate.

One described design places a spring package between the setting-tongue foot and the screw head. This arrangement allows the screw to be tightened within a relatively narrow torque range while retaining enough rotational adjustment to align the screw head with an opening in the safety plate. Once fitted, the plate latches over the screw head.

An alternative design uses an anti-rotation ring fitted around the screw head. The ring has external teeth that engage with a matching safety plate. This approach allows the screw to be tightened within a small torque range, with alignment limited to the pitch of the teeth. The patent description gives the example of a 36-tooth ring, which requires alignment within a maximum range of 10 degrees. The ring also serves as an adapter, avoiding changes to the rest of the lock-bearing construction and supporting safety and approval considerations.

Career Highlights

Herrmann’s listed inventions focus on practical fastening and anti-rotation solutions for railway infrastructure. His work combines controlled screw tightening with secure mechanical locking.

Collaborations

Herrmann is associated with Siemens Schweiz AG. His listed coworkers include Walter Ackeret and Andreas Infanger.

Conclusion

Rudolf Herrmann’s patents address secure, precisely adjustable screw connections for railway points-setting equipment, with designs intended to preserve the existing lock-bearing construction.