Abstract: A modular track segment for a model railroad track includes a plurality of conductive strip members secured to the lower surface of the segment and in electrical connection with respective rails on the upper surface of the track segment. Respective forward portions of the conductive strip members are formed to provide accurate leaf springs for mutually-compressive electrical contact with corresponding strip members of an adjacent track segment. Mechanical features of the track segment provide engagement of adjacent track segments and reinforce the compressive contact between adjacent conductive strip members. A breakaway access member is provided along a side wall of the track segment to form an opening for electrical and mechanical connection of an electrical accessory to the track segment.

Abstract: A cargo transport system for automated warehousing, wherein there are guide rail structures each mounted from an opposing shelving face structure of two rows of storage shelves extending substantially parallel to each other and present opposing shelving face structures toward one another, each of the guide rail structures including a guide rail with sides, at least one or more power supply conductors, or control signal conductors, or both power supply conductors and control signal conductors disposed substantially parallel to each other and arranged along the side of at least one guide rail, a cargo carrier adapted to roll over the guide rails, and collector attached from the load carrier for maintaining substantially constant electrically conducting contact with the power supply conductors and the control signals conductors for respectively powering and controlling the movement of the cargo carrier.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a guidance track for an electric vehicle. The guidance track preferably includes one or more grooves formed within a dielectric material. The wheels of the vehicle fit, at least in part, in the grooves which are configured to accept the wheels of both powered and unpowered cars in the vehicle. The grooves guide and direct the vehicle as the wheels travel through the grooves.

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 rotary switch for a people mover guideway having a predetermined path, guidebeam and electric rail configuration, routes a transit car having electric power signal collectors from one entry guideway path to either of two exit guideway paths or vice versa. The switch has an elongated structural frame provided with guidelines, electric rail and tire path structure on one side compatible with the guideway configuration to provide car routing to one of the two exit paths. The frame further has guidebeam, electric rail and tire path structure on another side compatible with the guideway configuration to provide car routing to the other of the two exit paths. The electric rail structure on each side of the frame includes power rails and signal rails disposed along the respective switch paths of travel for respectively contacting the electric collectors of the transit car.

Abstract: A double turnout rotary guideway switch is provided with an elongated structural frame member having guidebeam, electric rail and tire path structure on each of two sides of the switch compatible with the guidebeam, electric rail and tire path structure of the guideway. Two elongated beams form the sides of the frame and, with cross connected end beams, operating as the principal structural members for the frame. A curved beam extends from one of the elongated side beams inwardly and to one of the end beams. Opposite sides of the curved beam provide respective surfaces for a left turnout tire path on one of the two sides of the switch and a right turnout tire path the other side of the switch.

Abstract: A rotary switch for a people mover guideway having a predetermined tire path, guidebeam and electric rail configuration routes a transit car from one entry guideway path to at least either of two exit guideway paths or vice versa. The switch has an elongated structural frame that has guidebeam, electric rail and tire path structure compatible with the guideway configuration to provide car routing to one of the two exit paths on one switch side and to provide car routing to the other of the two exit paths on another switch side. Switching is achieved by rotating a movable part of the switch 180 degrees about its longitudinal axis. First and second shafts support the two ends of the switch frame and one of the shafts is driven to rotate the switch frame between first and second rotational positions in which the switch is locked and the switch sides respectively line up with the guideway configuration.

Abstract: A tire path, guidebeam, electric rail configuration for a guideway in a people mover system comprises a roadway structure having a pair of spaced tire paths forming a vehicle running surface. A guidebeam is disposed along a centerline between the tire paths to provide generally vertical guidance surfaces above the tire running surface for generally horizontal guidewheels on the vehicles. First and second electric rail units are substantially identically structure and extend along the roadway structure between the tire paths to provide conductive surfaces above the tire running surface for electric collection by brush assemblies on the vehicles. Together, the electric rail units have a predetermined number of electric rails to provide power and signal circuits for the vehicles. The first and second electric rail units are supported on opposite sides of the tire path centerline and at substantially equal distances from the centerline to enable turnaround vehicle operation.

Abstract: An electric toy train track comprises a metal center rail on the base of which electrical insulating material has been extruded prior to roll-forming of the metal to the transverse shape for the rail. The center rail comprises in transverse cross section a horizontal base, an upright centrally supported on the base and a generally circular annular portion atop the upright that forms the top of the rail. The base has a bottom, sides, and a top. The electrical insulation is disposed in covering relation to the bottom and sides of the base and at least a portion of the top of the base immediately contiguous each side. The insulation is disposed on the base as two separate and discrete zones, one zone to one side of the upright and the other zone to the other side of the upright. The zones of insulation are separated at the bottom of the base by a gap that is disposed directly below the upright.

Abstract: Apparatus for indicating the presence of power on the third rail of a transit system having two running rails and a third rail includes a first connector for connecting to the third rail and a second connector for connecting to one of the running rails and a circuit for indicating the presence of a voltage between the first connector and the second connector and thereby indicating a voltage between the one running rail and the third rail, the means for indicating including visual and audible signaling apparatus. In some forms of the invention the apparatus may include an annunciator and a strobe light. Other forms of the invention include third and fourth connectors which are magnetically held to the rails.

Abstract: The electrical connection device is constituted by a sliding system comprising at least one conductive pin (5) fixed on one rigid bar (2) and at least one associated pluggable connector (6) fixed on another rigid bar (2'), said sliding system simultaneously providing electrical continuity between said bars on either side of said expansion joint regardless of their relative longitudinal position, and mechanical guidance of said bars to keep them in alignment. Such a connection is particularly applicable to supplying power to handling devices such as cranes, travelling cranes, container transporters, etc.

Abstract: The invention relates to a conductor rail having at least one expansion joint between rigid section bars and presenting a friction shoe with a conductive guidance and friction path. In accordance with the invention, the free ends of the section bars have respective systems of interfitting parallel plates suitable for providing an expansion joint which ensures guidance continuity and electrical pickup continuity regardless of the relative longitudinal position of the section bars. Such conductive rails may be used to feed electricity to handling equipment such as cranes, travelling cranes, and container lifters.

Abstract: An assembly for the transmission of electrical energy to a vehicle comprises two current rails with respective contact surfaces inclined at an angle toward each other in a roof-like arrangement and a current collector having a sliding shoe with a pair of contact surfaces inclined toward each other at the same angle. The sliding shoe is mounted movably on the current collector by means of a ball and socket joint. The support point of the sliding shoe, i.e. the geometrical center of the support ball, is located at least approximately on an imaginary line which connects the centers of gravity of the two contact surfaces of the current rails.

Abstract: A moving vehicle power distribution apparatus includes power signal and ground signal rails provided along a roadway track including a track switch. As the track switch is moved to pass the vehicle to selected roadway tracks, the signal and power rails can become misaligned and damage current collectors carried by the vehicle that travel along these rails. Coupling members having interdigitated members extend between the rail sections to control the movement of the current collectors as the vehicle travels through the track switch.

Abstract: To permit attachment of a suspended track without drilling of holes lfor installation and connection to support elements (25), the track has an upper hollow structural section (2), for example in essentially semi-circular shape with depending vertical sections (10), a similar lower hollow structural section (2) joined by a connecting web (3), the sections in the web are unitary, the web being of generally horizontal C-shape in cross section, with a generally vertical back portion (11), mutually converging or approaching forward portions (5) which are bent over themselves to form diverging wing portions (6) leaving a groove-like gap (4) therebetween, the ends (7) of the portions (5) and the diverging wing portions (6). Hanger elements (25) can be longitudinally positioned by clamping the hanger elements against internally positioned clamping bars or plates (27), permitting longitudinal alignment by relative sliding of the clamping bars within the C-shaped chamber.

Abstract: A fish-plate comprises two sections which can be fitted, by way of a toothed surface, against corresponding toothed surfaces of two adjacent electrically conductive rails of a railway using bolts to tighten the sections towards each other. The teeth extend longitudinally, and the sections are vertically adjustable relatively to the rails to allow the fish-plate to be clamped to the rails at various heights.

Abstract: A bumper car amusement ride includes a floor to which is adhesively bonded over their entire under surfaces a plurality of elongated electrically conductive plates separated by electrically non-conductive strips and with adjacent plates connected across a source of alternating current. A bumper car is supported for movement over the plates and strips by a pair of laterally spaced drive wheels and a pair of longitudinally spaced caster wheels, each of the drive wheels being coupled to the reversible, variable speed output of a hydrostatic transmission, the inputs of which are both coupled to the output of a direct current constant speed electric motor. The motor is connected through a rectifier to a plurality of contacts mounted on the car for sliding engagement with the floor plates.

Abstract: A current collection system for a travelling body comprising main rigid trolley rails continuously arranged one after another in the direction of the track of the travelling body; an auxiliary rigid trolley rail which is arranged between the confronting ends of the adjacent main rigid trolley rails and which has one end thereof supported at a fixed support point and the other end thereof supported at a movable support point; a pair of contactor-carrying plates which are attached to the travelling body and are arranged to have said main and auxiliary rigid trolley rails held between the pair of the plates; and two pairs of contactors which are arranged to press each of the main and auxiliary trolley rails on both sides thereof separately from each other. These pairs of contactors are arranged to come into contact alternately with the main and auxiliary rigid trolley rails while the travelling body is on the move.

Abstract: Three phase power feeding device for a track guided vehicle including three power feeding lines provided along one side of the track, the center one of the feed lines being located closer to the track than the other two of the lines. The vehicle is provided with a collector device comprised of three collector shoes adapted to be engaged respectively with the power feed lines. The collector shoes are associated with insulative shoes which are longer than the collector shoes so that the insulative shoes are maintained in contact with the respective ones of the power feed lines even when the collector shoes are detached from the feed lines due to rolling movement of the vehicle.

Abstract: In a third rail system for electric railroads, double T shaped third rails are used, the web of which has an internal longitudinal slot to receive the guide projections of support insulators and for the space saving mounting of electrical and mechanical connecting parts of fixed and/or expansion joints. With this slot design, good heat transfer and at the same time, a large mechanical moment of inertia are obtained.

Abstract: A smooth junction is provided between aluminum conductor rails at the power collection surface by the provision of a wedge shaped insert the geometry of which corresponds to that of the gap between the rails. On expansion of the rails the insert is pushed partly out of the gap and on contraction is forced into the gap by a spring or springs thus always providing continuity on the power transfer surface.

Abstract: An urban mass transportation system is disclosed which makes use of storage battery powered vehicles. In view of the specific use which implies pre-established routing of the vehicles and preestablished stops at frequent intervals, the capacity of the batteries installed in each vehicle is commensurate to the capability of running for a limited distance. The vehicles are further provided with contact means, such as trolleys, for performing a fast recharge of the batteries at the stop stations, without removing the batteries. The stop stations are equipped with devices mating with the contact means and suitable for allowing a fast recharge. Electrical power is taken from an electrical distribution network independently from the routing of the vehicles.

Abstract: An urban mass transportation system is disclosed which makes use of storage battery powered vehicles. In view of the specific use which implies preestablished routing of the vehicles and preestablished stops at frequent intervals, the capacity of the batteries installed in each vehicle is commensurate to the capability of running for a limited distance. The vehicles are further provided with contact means, such as trolleys, for performing a fast recharge of the batteries at the stop stations, without removing the batteries. The stop stations are equipped with devices mating with the contact means and suitable for allowing a fast recharge. Electrical power is taken from an electrical distribution network independently from the routing of the vehicles.