Abstract: A switch track for switching a girder type track between a plurality of stationary tracks comprises a movable track girder including a drive girder and at least one driven girder. One end of the driven girder is rotatably supported at a predetermined point located on the ground, and the other end of the driven girder is connected to the drive girder. The drive girder is driven by a drive arrangement to pivot at one side thereof adjacent to the driven girder, around an imaginary center common to both of its ends, in order to enable it is move between connecting points of respective main tracks. The driven girder is moved only by driving the drive girder, such that the movable track girder is switched between connecting paths to the respective main tracks.

Abstract: A switch for connecting a main track girder selectively to any of a plurality of branch track girders includes a plurality of movable girders with articulations between adjacent movable track girders and between the main track girder and one of the movable track girders adjacent thereto, forming a stepped curve. The track girders have main rails fixedly secured thereon, respectively, for guiding a vehicle and for forming the stepped curve according to the arrangement of the main track girder and the movable track girders. A short intermedial rail is provided between the adjacent main rails. The short intermedial rails have both ends connected to the main rails on adjacent main track girders and adjacent movable track girders with relatively variable angles.

Abstract: A switch track apparatus for a girder type track comprises a movable girder composed of at least one girder portion shiftable between a plurality of positions on a fixed supporting member and of at least one drive device for driving the movable girder. The drive device is supported on a side surface of the movable girder substantially within a thickness of the movable girder.

Abstract: A centering and fixing apparatus for a movable element includes a swing arm that is pivoted on a fixed base member for movement in a vertical plane. A fixing arrangement is mounted on the swing arm. The movable element includes a centering arrangement adapted to engage the fixing arrangement. The centering arrangement includes a pair of centering rollers spaced apart a predetermined distance in a direction perpendicular to the swinging plane of the swing arm. The fixing arrangement includes a single roller with a diameter larger than the distance between the centering rollers. The single roller is supported on the swing arm via a spherical bearing arrangement, and is positioned to simultaneously contact the centering rollers.

Abstract: An independent suspension system is provided for an attraction type magnetically floated travelling body wherein plural modules, each of which is obtained by assembling one or a plurality of electromagnets in combination with a brack and a linear motor, are attached to the travelling body in continuous alignment to confront each of a pair of rails. Each of the modules is connected to the travelling body in such a way as to be movable relative to the travelling body.

Abstract: An improvement of the attractive type electromagnet device for the magnetic levitation running vehicles. Each of the electromagnets arranged in two longitudinal rows has a U-shape-cross-section core of which opposite ends are each slanted to face downwards and a coil so wound around each leg portion of the core that the bent portions of the coil bundle are each downwardly dropped. Thus every adjacent two electromagnets can be longitudinally closely arranged at the upper sharpened edges of said slanted core ends and at the upper outer edges of said coil bundle downwardly drooped bent portions. Thus it is possible to overcome defaults of the prior arts, namely magnetic flux interruptions and so on.

Abstract: A track switching device for selectively coupling a first track to one of second and third tracks. The switching device comprises a plurality of movable members, one of which has two parallel rails which operate such that when it is moved, the two rails are moved between the outer rails of the second and third tracks so that a selected one of the rails on the movable member is coupled to a selected one of the inner rails of the second and third tracks.

Abstract: An improved current collecting system for a vehicle which, when collecting a current from a power supply member such as trolley wire, controls the engagement of contact members with the power supply member. With this invention, damages of the power supply member attributable to arcs and the like are precluded.

Abstract: A structural arrangement for carrying armature rails of an attraction type magnetically floated travelling body comprising a plurality of carrying blocks which are fixed to bases and are arranged with spacing in the longitudinal direction of rails; and an armature rail which is carried along the side of the bases by the carrying blocks, said armature rail being provided with a groove and a flange formed on one side thereof confronting the carrying block, each carrying block being provided with a groove which engages with the tip of the flange of the armature rail and with an extruding arm which engages with the groove provided in the armature rail, the structural arrangement further including a tightening device for connecting each armature rail to each carrying block by tightening the engagement of the flange of the rail with the block and the engagement of the extruding arm of the block with the groove of the rail respectively.

Abstract: A magnetically levitated vehicle comprising: a body; and a plurality of modules arranged on said body in close positional relationship in two rows symmetrical with reference to the longitudinal vertical plane traversing the body and each including a frame, one or more attractive electromagnets, a propulsive linear motor and a suspension structure disposed between said frame and the body and including cushioning and shock-absorbing members and link mechanisms for imparting a degree of freedom to the relative movement of the frame and the body, the electromagnets and the linear motor, being fixedly attached to the frame.