Abstract: A mechanism for steering a beam guided vehicle having four steerable wheels linked to a centrally located steering trolley guided by an electrified T-shape beam mounted on a structural roadbed. A trolley flexibly propelled by the vehicle follows the guide beam to actuate the steering of the wheels. The trolley is quickly detachable by drop-pit access for rapid change-out to periodic off vehicle servicing. Two steering arm sensor posts engaging two sockets in the repositioned trolley guarantee interchangeability of standardized repaired units.

Abstract: An improved track and vehicle system are provided for model electric vehicles. The track system includes a number of interconnectable panels having alternate portions of negative and positive polarity conductor strips defined on a top surface thereof. The conductive strips are separated by non-conductive portions. Each of the panels includes electrical and mechanical interlocking devices carried on each side thereof so that any one panel can have additional panels connected on each of its sides. The vehicles include a unique arrangement of contacts carried on a linkage underneath of the vehicle to ensure that the vehicle remains at all times in contact with the conductors, regardless of the direction of movement of the vehicle from the surface of the panels.

Abstract: A monorail system for passenger and light freight transportation provides a support structure with an essentially planar top surface and a stabilizer guide rail having a vertical web portion supporting an upwardly outwardly extending head. The head guides a vehicle along the top surface while conductors secured to the web portion transmit electrical current to the vehicle through a current collector secured to the vehicle. A portion of the stabilizer guide rail may be flexible providing a simple, inexpensive device for switching the vehicle between a plurality of tracks. The system operates equally well with a variety of vehicle propulsion and suspension systems including electro-mechanical, magnetic levitation or linear electric motors.

Abstract: A racetrack structure includes several track sections, the track sections are engaged with each other by hinges, therefore the racetrack can be folded for storage. Each of the track sections of the racetrack structure has PC boards provided at two ends thereof, thereby forming an electrical loop by utilizing the PC boards electrically connected to each other by the hinges. By such arrangement, oxidization of the contact points is low.

Abstract: An arrangement for supplying power to an electric locomotive (1) while the locomotive is passing through a section which is not spanned by a contact wire, for example, while passing through a transshipment facility. To supply power to the locomotive (1) which has a current collector (2), a movable supply car (3) is provided, with the movable supply car (3) having an arm (4) on which a current collector bow (5), which simulates a contact wire, is mounted.

Abstract: A model vehicle course is laid out along a non-conductive, printable substrate such as a heavy paper or plastic, which is typically, but not necessarily, non-rigid. First and second conductive deposits are made along at least one of the surfaces of the substrate extending, mutually spaced-apart, along the path for each vehicle accommodated by the given layout to supply electrical energization to the vehicle as it traverses the course. In one presently preferred embodiment of the invention, the conductive deposits constitute conductive ink layers emplaced by a conventional printing step.

Abstract: A linear thermal expansion joint between two sections of power conductor rail formed of steel web and aluminum cladding about the web, each rail section longitudinally and vertically halved at the rail end through the center of the steel web creating a mating surface of selected expansion length. Each rail end includes an elongated slot and a guide block secured to the aluminum cladding and extending through the slot. The rail ends are slidingly secured together with bolts and spring washers on the guide blocks so that the rail ends overlap side by side with the mating surfaces facing each other sandwiching a brass slide plate which facilities longitudinal movement between the rail sections. Exposed ends of the rail contact surfaces are chamfered to eliminate snags or sharp surfaces and to compensate for small dimensional differences between rail sections during alignment and assembly of the expansion joint.

Abstract: A monorail vehicular system is provided, which uses an elevated track of multipiece construction, with a central electrically insulated panel having a supporting lower metal rail, which acts as one side of an electrical supply system, and with an upper metal rail on top of the central panel for support, and to provide the other side of the electrical system. The lower rail is supported at intervals by clips, carried on spaced vertical poles which rest on bases on the ground or other supporting surface. A car used in the system rides on wide roller type wheels on top of the upper metal rail, has a resiliently urged collector in contact with the upper rail, and a pair of contacts which engage the lower metal rail, with a pair of horizontal stabilizing wheels extending downwardly from the car on each side of the central panel and in contact with it, and which wheels are unequally spaced from the upper rail.

Abstract: An improved mechanical-electrical connector apparatus (3) is disclosed which is particularly suited for joining electrical current carrying rail segments (1, 2) having an axially slotted (5, 6) tube configuration within which a sliding contact can ride. Each end of each rail segment is provided with a circumferentially extending notch (4, 6) opening into the slot (5, 6) on opposite sides. A short connector section of slotted tube (3) is provided with a resilient tongue (7, 8) extending radially within the tube section (3) at each end so that the tongues (7, 8) fit into the notches (4, 6) when the rail segments (1, 2) are inserted into the connector section (3). The rails may be used for guiding and supplying current to a trolley or the like.

Abstract: A guide rail assembly for transmitting electrical current to a trolley or like vehicle and comprising a pair of non-linear support rail assemblies attached to one another and formed of light-weight metallic alloys, with each support rail including a band of highly wear-resistant metal for engaging and transmitting electrical current to the trolley. At least one of the support rail assemblies further including a plurality of fin-like projections for dissipating excess heat.

Abstract: A rail electrification system for electric railways utilizing 3-phase power, comprising three conductor rails arranged in a group characterized by a staggered relationship, commonly known as a delta configuration, so that two of the rails face in one direction and the third faces in an opposite direction. For taking off the 3-phase power from the conductor rails, the car is equipped with two sets of three collectors or shoes each, with the sets being disposed on opposite sides of the conductor rail group. Three of the collectors (not all in one set) function when the car is traveling in one direction along the rails, whereas the remaining three collectors function when the car has been turned around and is traveling in the opposite direction along the rails.

Abstract: A current collector line especially for electric trolley systems and the like wherein a support member is attached to the rail of the trolley system and includes an adapter interlocked with the bus bar and with the support member, and wherein the adapter is locked in engagement with the support member by flexible detents and the bus bar includes flexible portions maintaining its engagement with the adapter.

Abstract: An electrical contact system that comprises a power bed consisting of a base plate having electrically conducting layers insulated from each other. Embossments are formed on the base plate. Each embossment is spaced from its neighbors so that channels are formed between the embossments. Electrical contacts join parts of each channel with corresponding, electrically conducting layers in the channels. Electrical contacts are provided so that electricity can be supplied to the electrically conducting layers of the base plate. A collector having electrical contacts to contact the electrical contacts of the channels is movable along the channels.

Abstract: A cable holder device for holding current-carrying cables spaced apart but biased to maintain contact with two current-collecting shoes. The shoes are mounted on a self-propelled cable car having an electric drive motor connected to the shoes and driven apparatus constructed as a driven pulley for suspending the cable car on a suspension cable from which the cable car is suspended and on which it travels. The holder maintains positive contact between the current-carrying shoes and the current-carrying cables regardless of the swaying of the cables and the cable car.

Abstract: An electric current conducting bar of generally X-shaped configuration in transverse cross-section for use in an electric transmission system wherein a plurality of said bars of modular lengths, jointed in longitudinally alined end-to-end relation by various coupling assemblies, are fitted with insulating sheaths of generally inverted U-shape, also of modular lengths, which protectively cover not only the conductor rail per se and their coupling assemblies but also the current collector shoe which moves in electrical contact with the bar without any utilization of the insulating sheath primarily as a guide for the collector shoe. In a modified form of the X-shaped bar, the upper branches thereof are extended horizontally outward from opposite sides of the mid-section of the bar to provide the latter with a flat top having opposed longitudinally extending edges which are respectively accommodated in opposed longitudinally extending inner grooves formed in the insulated sheath.

Abstract: A support apparatus is provided for supporting the electrically conductive power rails, ground rail and signal rail of a three-phase, five rail power collection apparatus operative with a fixed guideway transportation system including electrically propelled vehicles. The present rail support apparatus facilitates improved assembly and provides a substantial reduction of installation time and cost.

Abstract: A sectionalized crane collector system is provided for electrical power rail systems for overhead cranes and the like made up of a pair of aligned conductor rails spaced apart longitudinally to form an air gap and having upper surfaces for engagement by a current conductor movable along them, a bridging rail member of the same shape as the air gap and adapted to fit in the air gap flush with the top of the conductor rails, a conductor apparatus fixed to and parallel to the bridging rail and in electrical contact therewith, the conductor apparatus being longer than the air gap, resilient conductor apparatus on each aligned conductor rail adjacent the air gap releasably engaging the ends of the parallel conductor member, vertically movable carrier apparatus adjacent said air gap carrying the parallel conductor means between a first position engaging the resilient conductor apparatus in which the bridging rail member fills the air gap flush with the top of the aligned rails and a second position in which the par

Abstract: A self-propelled car and load-conveying container on the car travel along a track system having horizontal and vertical track runs with bends or curves between such runs, and having inside and outside corner bends or curves between horizontal track runs . The track system also has switches to connect the system between various stations at various locations on the same or different building floors. The track is generally channel-shaped with spaced rail heads at the extremities of the channel legs. The channel web always has vertical orientation for the horizontal and vertical track runs and bends. The track is formed in sections, and the rail heads have replaceable wear strips. The track sections and wear strips have staggered, non-registering joints. Car travel control strips are mounted at desired locations on the track. Spring-pressed, rounded-groove guide wheels support the car on the track. Car movement control brushes are mounted on the car engageable with the control strips.

Abstract: The power line comprises a conducting section enclosed in an electrically insulating casing open on one side. The section and the casing are hung by claws. At least one claw is designed to block the conducting section and the casing. Expansion joints are designed at some intervals, and end elements prevent any access to the conducting section which is electrically supplied by junction units included in the end elements connecting two adjacent segments.

Abstract: an electrical conductor system to supply power to a travelling collector comprises an elongated hollow conduit formed with a continuous longitudinally extending slot. An insulating layer is bonded to the outer surface of the conduit and the conduit may be used as the sole current carrier. A continuous elongated conductor may be held in electrical contact with the inner surface and supported by discrete lengths of conduit in a position where the conductor is adapted to be contacted by a brush extending through the slot.