Patents by Inventor Gottfried Schaffer

Gottfried Schaffer has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 4870906
    Abstract: The invention relates to a dual track system for rail vehicles and magnetic vehicles. To enable this track system to be used in common by conventional wheel-and-track vehicles and magnetic vehicles, switches are needed by which both types of vehicle can be switched from a track on which only the one type of vehicle can run to a track which can be used by both types of vehicle. Furthermore, the switch must be suited for providing branches in a track on which both types of vehicles can operate. For the solution of this problem the invention provides a switch system which is essentially characterized by a flexible beam (6a) on which a likewise flexible track section (21) is mounted, which is intended for common use by rail vehicles and magnetic vehicles, and by an apparatus (31) for opening or closing a gap (30) between the beam and each such track (1a) to be traversed by the rail vehicles which permits the flexing of the beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1989
    Assignee: Thyssen Industrie AG
    Inventors: Gottfried Schaffer, Gert Schwindt