Raised Center Rail Patents (Class 104/120)
  • Patent number: 11766619
    Abstract: A track for a roller coaster is provided. The track includes a plurality of layers that are each constructed from a plurality of layer segments prefabricated with an automated precision cutting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: The Gravity Group, LLC
    Inventors: Michael A. Graham, Chad M. Miller, Korey T. Kiepert, Lawrence R. Bill, Jonathan S. Wocher, Brian M. Kosmac
  • Patent number: 11718182
    Abstract: A railway vehicle with an aerodynamic lift control device is disclosed. An equipment compartment is formed between a vehicle body bottom plate at the bottom of a vehicle body and a passenger room floor, and the aerodynamic lift control device is provided in the equipment compartment; the aerodynamic lift control device comprises an aerodynamic lift regulation fan and aerodynamic lift air ducts, and an aerodynamic lift regulation air port located within the aerodynamic lift control range is formed in the vehicle body bottom plate; one end of each aerodynamic lift regulating air duct communicates with the aerodynamic lift regulation air port, and the other end communicates with the aerodynamic lift regulating fan; and the aerodynamic lift regulation fan changes the pressure distribution form of the bottom of the train by blowing positive pressure airflow or sucking negative pressure airflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: CRRC QINGDAO SIFANG CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sansan Ding, Shuanbao Yao, Dawei Chen, Shaoqing Liu, Fujie Jiang
  • Patent number: 11714732
    Abstract: Sets of asynchronous replication operations may be tracked to ensure consistency. A tracking service may receive notifications of pending asynchronous replication tasks, and responsive to receiving a manifest indicating a request to be notified upon completion of a set of pending replication asynchronous tasks, matches individual ones of the tasks within the set to tasks indicated as pending. The tracking service may then select a routing table based on a most recent sequence number associated with the set of tasks, determine one of more tracking nodes assigned to track the set of tasks, and send the manifest to each of the tracking nodes. As individual ones of the tasks complete, notifications of completion may be sent to the tracking nodes and an aggregator node aggregates the completion notifications for the set. Once all completion notifications are received, a response to the request indicating completion may be sent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jacob Wires, Julien Mascart, Valeri Atamaniouk, Jun Dai, Sidharth Bajaj, Wesley Shawn Davis
  • Patent number: 11661050
    Abstract: A transportation system is disclosed. The transportation system has a vehicle that is self-powered and configured to generate an air cushion on a trackless lane having a substantially flat surface. The vehicle is configured to move over the substantially flat surface on the air cushion. The transportation system also has a guidance system configured to guide the vehicle between peripheries of the trackless lane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: JG ENTREPRENEURIAL ENTERPRISES LLC
    Inventor: John Goelet
  • Patent number: 11492206
    Abstract: A transport trolley for transporting objects for a rail system having at least one rail that has at least three running surfaces, said transport trolley comprising: a base body having an object carrier for receiving at least one object; a roller support which is rotatably supported at the base body and at which at least a first, a second, and a third roller are rotatably supported; and an alignment system having a roller support alignment device for aligning the roller support relative to the base body and having a roller alignment device for a relative alignment of the rollers with respect to one another and/or to the base body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: WEISS GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Götzinger, Christian Insel, Lutz Neuweiler
  • Patent number: 11046524
    Abstract: A transport system includes a guide rail having a loop-wound pathway with straight portions and curved portions linking the straight portions. A carriage is movable along the guide rail, a first and a second shaft being mounted on the carriage transversely to the carriage movement direction. A first pair of rollers are mounted rotatably on the first shaft so that a first roller contacts the internal wall of the guide rail and a second roller contacts the external wall of the guide rail. A second pair of rollers mounted rotatably on the second shaft include a first roller in contact with the internal wall of the guide rail and a second roller in contact with the external wall. The first and the second shaft are mounted on the carriage for pivoting about an axis perpendicular to the carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: MARCHESINI GROUP S.P.A.
    Inventor: Giuseppe Monti
  • Patent number: 10934099
    Abstract: An electric pallet conveyor includes a slide moveably supported on a guide-rail of a track. The electric pallet includes a motor for propelling the slide along the guide rail. A first gear pulley is attached to the slide and rotatable about a first gear pulley axis of rotation in response to a rotational torque output from the motor. A second gear pulley displaced from the first gear pulley is rotatable about a second gear pulley axis of rotation. A pulley belt connects the first gear pulley to the second gear pulley and is operable for transferring a rotational torque from the first gear pulley to the second gear pulley. A drive pulley fixedly attached to the second gear pulley engages a drive rail of the track to propel the slide along the guide-rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignees: Caromation, Inc., Straightline Automation, LLC
    Inventors: Brad Wireman, G. Scott Kreft
  • Patent number: 10820533
    Abstract: A cart having a wheel, a drive motor coupled to the wheel such that an output of the drive motor causes the wheel to rotate and propel the cart, a cart-computing device communicatively coupled to the drive motor, wherein the cart-computing device generates a control signal to adjust the operation of the drive motor, and a sensor module communicatively coupled to the cart-computing device. The sensor module, in a first mode, generates a signal and transmits the signal to the cart-computing device in response to a detected event. The sensor module, in a second mode, transmits a first communication signal in response to the first communication signal generated by the cart-computing device. The sensor module, in a third mode, receives a second communication signal in response to a source external to the cart transmitting the second communication signal to the cart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: GROW SOLUTIONS TECH LLC
    Inventor: Gary Bret Millar
  • Patent number: 10508440
    Abstract: An improved border barrier system is disclosed. The system includes columns situated periodically along an international border, beams extending horizontally between tops of the columns, metallic based walls extending between each pair of columns, a power line extending within the beams, a continuous electric railway located on top of the horizontal surface, electric rail cars powered by the electric railway, sensor arrays located periodically along the border barrier system, stations located periodically along the border barrier system, each station including a housing structure configured for housing personnel, a power generating station or power relay station coupled to the power line and the electric railway for powering the electric railway, and a tunnel that allows the electric railway to enter one end of the housing structure and exit another end of the housing structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Inventor: Ales Vlaj
  • Patent number: 10131367
    Abstract: This invention is equipped with: a steering shaft provided to an underframe of a carbody of a vehicle travelling on a traveling road surface of tracks; king pins provided as a pair to end sections of the steering shaft at both sides in the width direction; axle hubs swingably provided to the steering shaft via the king pins; tires mounted plurally to each of the axle hubs; guide wheels, which roll over guide rails provided to the tracks in the direction of extension of the tracks, and which are guided from the width direction of the tracks; a guide device part for supporting the guide wheels and the steering shaft; and a steering mechanism for causing the axle hubs to turn about the king pins in accordance with the displacement of the guide device part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES ENGINEERING, LTD.
    Inventors: Kousuke Katahira, So Tamura, Mitsuaki Hoshi, Masahisa Masukawa
  • Patent number: 10029855
    Abstract: A mover system that provides spatially separated rails of the track interacting with pairs of closely spaced opposed wheels of the mover constraining movement of the mover on the track is provided. Each pair of wheels includes standard cylindrical or crowned wheels contacting the opposed parallel sides of standard rectangular rails, retaining the movers on the track in both horizontal and vertical directions normal to a transport direction along the track. The wheels bear loads in a radial direction with respect to axial motion consistent with its naturally positioned strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul J. Grosskreuz, Ilya Gurevich, John C. Lamouree, Juan A. Fernandez, Jeffrey W. Dujmovic
  • Patent number: 9656713
    Abstract: A safety accessory for a tilting propulsion device or similar device is described. The safety accessory prevents the tilting propulsion device from pitching the user from the tilting propulsion device when mounting the tilting propulsion device. The accessory is attached to the tilting propulsion device and will come in contact with the ground if the tilting propulsion device pitches forward, stopping movement and allowing the user to regain his balance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: NOTILT, LLC
    Inventors: Fintan Ryan, John Bennett
  • Patent number: 9597969
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing in-road electric conductivity boxes and on-vehicle descent and pivot contacts for vehicles are provided. In one example embodiment, a system includes, inter alia, a charging component physically coupled to a roadway, a power source electrically coupled to the charging component, and a vehicle that electrically couples with the charging component for receiving power from the power source via the charging component when the vehicle is on the roadway at a location proximate to the charging component. Additional embodiments are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: AMRES NETWORK COALITION, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Klein, Steven Roe, Matthew L. Kaplan, Thomas Dwight
  • Patent number: 9267242
    Abstract: The invention is a method of manufacturing elevated rail segments and an elevated rail system including those rail segments. Features of the elevated rail system include pivot points between the track and vertical supports elevating the rail system, eccentric bolt and washer assemblies that allow precise vertical and horizontal adjustment of the vertical supports and threaded bolts that allow precise micro-adjustment of height of the track above the concrete foundations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Inventors: Alan Hepner, David Metivier
  • Patent number: 9150119
    Abstract: Provided herein are various apparatuses, systems, and methods for transporting medication within a healthcare facility. An example system for connecting sections of a track having an electrically conductive bus bar may include a first end cap including an alignment ridge, where the first end cap is received at the end of a first track section having a first bus bar, and a second end cap having an alignment channel, where the second end cap is received at the end of a second track section having a second bus bar. The alignment ridge may be configured to be received within the alignment channel when the first track section and the second track section are out of alignment, and in response to the first track section being brought into alignment with the second track section, the alignment ridge and alignment channel cooperate to draw the first and second bus bar into contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Aesynt Incorporated
    Inventors: Cody C. Henderson, Paul A. Brayford, Stefan Michael Elsener, Michael P. Zarich, James Kolozs
  • Patent number: 9085305
    Abstract: A system and method for hybrid personal transit and a hybrid personal transit vehicle. The vehicle can include an enclosure and a suspension system including a plurality of wheels, the suspension system adapted to control a positioning of the wheels over a range from substantially vertical to substantially horizontal, wherein the positioning of the wheels is substantially vertical for engaging a road surface, and wherein the positioning of the wheels is substantially horizontal for engaging a rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Inventor: Thomas Pumpelly
  • Patent number: 9062418
    Abstract: The invention is a method of manufacturing elevated rail segments and an elevated rail system including those rail segments. Features of the elevated rail system include pivot points between the track and vertical supports elevating the rail system, eccentric bolt and washer assemblies that allow precise vertical and horizontal adjustment of the vertical supports and threaded bolts that allow precise micro-adjustment of height of the track above the concrete foundations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Inventors: Alan Hepner, David Metivier
  • Publication number: 20150144021
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a vehicle line comprising at least two rails which are parallel to each other and fastened to a substructure and on which plate-shaped elements are arranged, characterized in that in the lateral lower portion the plate-shaped elements respectively comprise downwardly projecting bearing blocks which are supported in a vertically adjustable manner on holding elements which are respectively fastened to one of the rails.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventor: Hans-Joachim Buse
  • Patent number: 8613255
    Abstract: A mass transit monorail uses an I-beam rail structure having an upper flange portion spaced apart from a lower flange portion, the flange portions joined by a vertical web portion. A frame of a vehicle has a pair of supporting wheels contacting the rail on a first side at an intersection of the web portion with the lower flange portion. A third wheel contacts the upper flange portion on a second opposing side of the rail. The vehicle moves along the rails which form a semi-continuous in-line track. A plurality of such tracks are positioned in parallel to make up a transport corridor with plural right-of-ways where vehicles may move in opposite directions passing each other. The rails are flexible enough to enable a vehicle to move from one semi-continuous in-line track to an adjacent semi-continuous in-line track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Inventor: Brian Justin Chow
  • Patent number: 8333157
    Abstract: Disclosed is an automated system for controlling and operating a vehicle. The system has three primary components: a vehicle, a saddle assembly, and a railway. The saddle is firmly attached to the bottom of the vehicle. The saddle assembly engages and rides along the rail. Sensors ensure that the rail is centered within the saddle. In the event the vehicle loses traction the backbone will maintain vehicle control and stability. The vehicle can change from one roadway to another while always being secured to a railway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: WFK & Associates, LLC
    Inventor: Waldemar F. Kissel
  • Patent number: 8291829
    Abstract: A motorized transport cart and a system and method employing one or more of such carts. The carts may be used to transport assembly parts or other items of interest within a desired area. Each cart includes its own drive system, including a drive motor and drive wheel assembly that propels the cart along a guide rail assembly affixed to the transport area floor. Power for the drive motor is transferred from a conductor rail of the guide rail assembly through a contactor assembly of the cart. The drive system includes a sensor that is used to signal a drive controller of the cart drive system to de-energize the drive motor and halt motion of the cart when a trailing cart gets within a certain distance of a leading cart in a row of carts. Carts may be automatically arranged into properly spaced rows with little user interaction, and the carts of a given row will automatically move forward when a lead cart of the row is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Richard Dunlavy, Steve Oppy, David Bonaventura, Anthony Wilkins
  • Publication number: 20110120339
    Abstract: A linear guide including a rail and a carriage joined to an application platform by a plurality of screws, wherein at least one of the plurality of screws is a vacuum screw with an axial channel through which particles can be vacuumed out of an air gap between the rail and the carriage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventors: Patrick Volluz, Gentien Piaget, Jean-Yves Bordas
  • Patent number: 6785945
    Abstract: A method for producing a beam for a travel way in a track vehicle system includes fabricating the beam at a production facility with dimensions corresponding to erected dimensions the beam will have at its construction site, or within a predetermined deviation from the erected dimensions. The beam is positioned in the position it will have in its erected state in the travel way at the construction site. Positions for connection points are measured and defined on the beam for appurtenances so that such appurtenances and functional surfaces will have a desired relative position on the beam in its erected state at the construction site. The connection points are reworked by adding or removing material as required so that upon mounting the appurtenances to the beam at the connection points, the appurtenances and functional surfaces will have the desired relative position on the beam at the construction site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Inventors: Dieter Reichel, Theo Frisch, JĂĽrgen Feix
  • Patent number: 6564516
    Abstract: A guideway and support structure (50) for supporting an elevated guideway (52) for a railed-vehicle (54) include individual unassembled components sized for easy transport. The components may be prefabricated with known materials and methods and transported to an installation site to be assembled together. The support structure (50) is preferably cantilevered and sized to support one or two vehicle guideways (52). The support structure (50) may include a pile foundation (56) for improved support during seismic activity and to facilitate installation on existing streets and sidewalks without covering or interfering with underground plumbing or utilities. Preferably, multiple sections of the guideway (52) are rigidly secured together through expansion joints (51) to define a continuous guideway (53) such that loads on the guideway (53) are distributed over multiple columns (60).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Inventor: Einar Svensson
  • Patent number: 6450103
    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 a head portion. 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 electromechanical, magnetic levitation or linear electric motors. In addition, the system may be operated with a semi-maglev system, wherein the vehicle is partially supported by wheels and magnetic levitation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Inventor: Einar Svensson
  • Patent number: 6418855
    Abstract: An industrial truck (1) is driven by a friction drive (7) acting on a rail (6). For this purpose, the industrial truck (1) stands on the underlying surface by way of a front steering-roller pair (3) and a rear fixed-roller pair (5) and is kept on track by a guide roller (9) butting against the rail (6). In the region of a curved element (12), the rail (6) has an elevation, with result that there is an increase there in the propulsion force which can be transmitted by a friction wheel (8) of the friction drive (7). An introduction aid (11) allows the guide roller (9) to be aligned without difficulty in relation to the rail (6). The industrial truck (1), rather than being bound to fixed cyclic operation by its friction drive (7), can be specifically accelerated or decelerated. In the event of malfunctioning of the industrial truck (1), the latter can easily be moved manually.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Mannesmann VDO AG
    Inventor: Dirk Fischer
  • Publication number: 20010037747
    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 a head portion. 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 electromechanical, magnetic levitation or linear electric motors. In addition, the system may be operated with a semi-maglev system, wherein the vehicle is partially supported by wheels and magnetic levitation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2001
    Publication date: November 8, 2001
    Inventor: Einar Svensson
  • Patent number: 6182576
    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 a head portion. 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Inventor: Einar Svensson
  • Patent number: 5845581
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Inventor: Einar Svensson
  • Patent number: 5245930
    Abstract: An emergency life saving vehicle (ELSV) for providing emergency services on a bridge independently of traffic conditions thereon. In particular, the ELSV conforms to the particular configuration of a bridge so as to ride along an otherwise unused portion of the bridge, and thereby circumvent any traffic which may have accumulated on the bridge. There are at least three different embodiments of the ELSV, each embodiment corresponding to a particular bridge structure. A first embodiment has a raised center portion so that the ELSV is able to straddle a lane dividing wall on a single span bridge; a second embodiment is adapted to straddle a space between two adjacent and parallel spans of a two span bridge by simultaneously riding on the interior walkways of each span; and a third embodiment rides along the interior walkways and retaining walls of a two span bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1993
    Inventor: William H. Williams
  • Patent number: 4905542
    Abstract: A lock-out trolley for a garage door has a first trolley member having body and a pair of pivot pins connected thereto. A latch arm, pivotally mounted on the pivot pins, has a trolley engaging member for selectively engaging a second trolley member. A cardioid shaped aperture in the latch arm engages one of the pivot pins and may lock the latch arm out of engagement with the second trolley member. A spring biases the latch toward its engaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1990
    Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc.
    Inventors: George C. Burm, Philip A. McCartney, Barry M. Bidinger
  • Patent number: 4794866
    Abstract: An electrical linear motor stator is fixedly disposed along a roadway. A car supported on at least two trucks is guided for movement along the roadway. The trucks are pivotally mounted to the car for rotation about a vertical axis. Permanent magnets for interacting with the stator have one end pivotally mounted to the vertical axis of the truck and an opposite end guided, for example, using rollers, for positive movement parallel to a vertical longitudinal central plane of the stator. In this way, the permanent magnet is mounted for transverse movement to the car to permit the car to negotiate small radius curves in the roadway while still maintaining good alignment between the permanent magnet and the stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1989
    Assignee: Maschinenfabrik Scharf GmbH
    Inventors: Curt Brandis, Heinrich Schulze-Buxloh, Siegfried Pirags
  • Patent number: 4635559
    Abstract: A pipeline monorail comprising a pipeline provided with at least one outwardly extending flange extending the length of the pipeline; two carriages, longitudinally spaced on the pipeline, each carriage having wheels operable to frictionally engage the flange of the pipeline for guidance, the wheels of at least one of the carriages being driven by a power source for propelling the carriages which carry and are connected by a load carrier, preferably including a boom. The boom is adapted to carry pipe sections and is longitudinally moveable relative to the carriages for suspending the pipe sections forwardly of the existing end of the pipeline and is operable to lower or raise the pipe section for attachment to the existing pipeline for construction of the pipeline. Each section so attached is also provided with a flange. Pedestals are used to support the pipeline where required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1987
    Inventor: Warren B. Nelson
  • Patent number: 4632038
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1986
    Inventor: David L. Lawrence
  • Patent number: 4603638
    Abstract: A train system includes(a) a train car,(b) a support for the car adapted to be guided along a rail having variable angular tilt along its length and relative to horizontal, whereby the support assumes the tilt of the rail, and(c) a gimbal coupled between the car and support to accommodate rotation of the support relative to the car as the car travels lengthwise of and along the rail, whereby the car remains upright despite variable tilting of the rail along which the car travels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1986
    Assignee: Charles S. Dozer Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles S. Dozer
  • Patent number: 4573413
    Abstract: The transport system comprises a rail and an undercarriage provided with two running wheels arranged in the longitudinal axis of the undercarriage. The running wheels have curved travel or bearing surfaces which rest upon a complementary curved supporting surface of the rail. The undercarriage is guided by a pair of guiding rollers arranged below the rail supporting surface, these guiding rollers engaging a guiding web extending perpendicularly between the guiding rollers. During travelling along curves the undercarriage is inclined towards the interior or inner side, whereby the occurring centrifugal forces are compensated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1986
    Assignee: Feramatic AG
    Inventor: Jurg Eberle
  • Patent number: 4538521
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a recessible guide rail for guiding a wheel-supported vehicle along a roadway structure. The vehicle is equipped with flangeless wheels or the like for coacting with a side wall of the rail to laterally guide the vehicle along the roadway structure. It is necessary to remove the guide rail from time to time in order to realize the advantages of such a vehicle on its special rail-like roadway structure and on conventional roads. With the guide rail removed, it is possible to remove the laterally guided vehicle from its roadway structure. Also, it is possible to permit other vehicles to cross the special roadway structure of the guided vehicle. With the invention, supporting devices having lateral holding pockets which can be moved in elevation are installed where the guide rail is to be removable. Straight or curved guide rail segments which can be made of steel reinforced concrete are inserted into the pockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1985
    Assignee: Ed. Zublin Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Werner Fastenau
  • Patent number: 4537577
    Abstract: A toy vehicle and track assembly includes a vehicle and a track along which the vehicle travels. The vehicle is formed with a plurality of wheels and a motor adapted to drive the wheels upon actuation. The track is formed with a guide extending along the length of the track. First and second clips are mounted for pivotal movement on the underside of the vehicle. The clips are adapted to engage the guide and to cooperate to move the vehicle towards the track such that at least one of the wheels is always in driving contact with the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1985
    Inventors: Terry Sansome, Thomas L. Simmel
  • Patent number: 4491073
    Abstract: A train system includes(a) a train car,(b) a support for the car adapted to be guided along a rail having variable angular tilt along its length and relative to horizontal, whereby the support assumes the tilt of the rail, and(c) a gimbal coupled between the car and support to accommodate rotation of the support relative to the car as the car travels lengthwise of and along the rail, whereby the car remains upright despite variable tilting of the rail along which the car travels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1985
    Assignee: Charles S. Dozer Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles S. Dozer
  • Patent number: 4416456
    Abstract: A trolley for moving along a mono-rail track comprising two superimposed tubes, the trolley being provided with means for carrying a target, and being further provided with pairs of drive wheels which are inwardly inclined to rest on upper parts of the lower tube forming the track, the pairs of drive wheels having a "V" configuration. Additional pairs of substantially horizontal wheels engage opposite sides of the lower tube below the drive wheels. The drive wheels are driven by individual hydraulic motors, connected in series, and the hydraulic circuit for controlling the motors can be operated to achieve a braking effect on the wheels. Jockey wheels engage the top tube of the track. An additional spring pressure applied, hydraulic pressure released brake acts on the upper tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1983
    Assignee: Australasian Training Aids Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: Lindsay C. Knight
  • Patent number: 4353308
    Abstract: Cog wheel vehicle system. A single track consists of a square beam having a pair of flanges. There is a row of holes in each flange. A vehicle rides on the track and has a cog wheel engaging the holes in the flange. A directional hydraulic motor is connected to drive the cog wheel. A hydraulic pump is connected to drive the motor. A gasoline engine is pivotally mounted on the vehicle and is connected to drive the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1982
    Inventor: Kenneth G. Brown
  • Patent number: 4237790
    Abstract: A monorail rapid transit system including a plurality of cars coupled together to form a train and supported for travel on a main track comprising a pair of upstanding rails arranged in spaced-apart parallel relationship and including an auxiliary track diverging obliquely from one side of the main track at an intersection and having one rail in common with one rail of the main track, each of the cars including at least one pair of retractable guide arms pivotally movable into guiding engagement with the rails on opposite sides of the track together with a central guide member on the car accommodated between the rails for guiding engagement therewith, whereby pivotal movement of the arms selectively into engagement with only one of the rails permits the car to be guideably directed either on the main track or onto the auxiliary track when passing through the intersection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1980
    Inventor: Thomas A. DeLucia
  • Patent number: 4236454
    Abstract: A guideway gravity vehicle combination designed for recreational use on hills and mountains consisting of a wheeled, stabilized vehicle riding on a monorail which extends from the top to the bottom of a downwardly inclined slope. The rider controls the vehicle speed through the use of powerful braking systems. Maximum speeds are regulated by automatic braking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1980
    Inventors: Alve J. Erickson, Robert D. Thulman
  • Patent number: 4232611
    Abstract: A guide-way vehicle adapted for running on guide way means having running surface means and guide rail means on the running surface means, wherein the vehicle comprises three axle assemblies provided at front and rear end portions and an intermediate portion of a car body, each axle assembly having wheels with rubber tires attached to the opposite ends thereof. The axle assemblies at the front and rear portions of the car body are adapted to swivel in a horizontal plane relative to the car body and respectively have guide wheels adapted for running along the guide rail means whereby the axle assemblies are steered along the guide rail means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1980
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yukio Uozumi
  • Patent number: 4221170
    Abstract: A monorail mountain coaster for recreational transportation along an inclined path on a hill or mountain comprising a channel disposed on and spaced from the path, a chassis frame moveable along the channel, a coaster shell resiliently mounted on the chassis frame, riding wheels rotatably mounted on the chassis frame and engaged with the channel for movement of the frame along the channel, retainer wheels rotatably mounted to the frame disposed about and engaged with the channel to retain the frame on the channel and a brake pivotally mounted to the frame and engageable with the channel to stop the movement of the frame on the channel. The channel is suspended above the inclined path on, for example, the side of a hill, by suspension brackets which securely prevent the channel from moving. The frame with pivotally mounted shell is then allowed to roll along the channel on its wheels and provide entertaining and recreational transportation along the path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1978
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1980
    Inventor: Slavos Koudelka
  • Patent number: 4217727
    Abstract: A toy monorail system of the support type for vehicles such as miniature railway cars and slot cars. The monorail track consists of an elongated flat strip or length of plastic having flat metal conductors located in flanged recesses molded into each side of the strip or length. The track is edge-mounted and, on flat surfaces, is self-supporting. The system can be set up in an unlimited number of configurations and elevations. In use, the track is arranged either in a self-supporting configuration on floors, table tops and the like, or utilizes special supports which engage a slot or recess molded into one edge of the track. Various styles of vehicles are used with the system, including trains, automobiles, boats, and rockets. The drive vehicle is mounted on the edge of the track opposite the slotted or recessed edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1980
    Inventors: Warren N. Fetty, Rosabelle Fetty
  • Patent number: 4201137
    Abstract: A slide and sled combination designed for use on the side of a mountain in conjunction with the operation of ski lift, consists of a monorail extending the length of a mountain from the upper end near the top of a ski lift along a path containing curves, banked curves, and straight segments to the bottom of the mountain near the base of the ski lift. The monorail consists of, in cross-section, a tubular segment supported on a web. Sleds comprising shells are supported on and secured to the monorail by two sets of four wheels which engage the tubular segment. Each set of wheels are supported on bulkheads connected to the shell. A braking system controllable by an operator sitting in the shell includes brakes actuated by a lever that are adapted to engage the tubular segment at diametrically opposite points. Stabilizing wheels are provided on at least one of the bulkheads and are adapted to engage the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1980
    Assignee: American Zephyr Corporation
    Inventor: Andry Lagsdin
  • Patent number: 4175224
    Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for transporting heavy equipment such as welding current generators, a prime mover therefor, and associated devices or supplies, on and along a pipeline, the pipeline serving as a monorail. The apparatus, of elongated construction along the pipeline, is supported at one end and propelled along the line by power driven traction means engaging the top part of the pipeline. The opposite end of the apparatus is supported on a pair of laterally spaced swivel mounted wheels which engage the sides of the pipeline laterally away from and somewhat below the top of the line. The latter wheels give lateral support and stability to maintain the apparatus in a substantially upright position on the pipeline. Sensing means, such as a pendulum, mercury switch means, or equivalent, detect incipient tilting or motion towards instability and are used to steer the swivel mounted wheels, either directly or indirectly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1979
    Assignee: CRC-Crose International, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene F. Sims, Trueman Dierlam
  • Patent number: 4150625
    Abstract: In overhead cranes of the kind including a box girder fabricated of elongate plates and torsionally loaded by a trolley running on three rails respectively at three corners of the box girder, the structure of the box girder is usually such that flanges project from the corners thereof and prevent proper support of the rails in optimum corner positions in alignment with the walls of the girder. This problem is now solved by providing a rail with an elongate flange and securing the rail and flange respectively to marginal portions of a pair of adjacent plates of the box girder. In this way the rail can be secured in optimum position at the corner of the girder and forms with the flange a member which encloses the corner flange and serves as a stiffener or reinforcement for the corner. In a preferred construction the rail and flange are the respective arms of a generally V-section elongate member enclosing the corner of the girder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1977
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1979
    Assignee: J. H. Carruthers & Company Limited
    Inventor: William G. Cowan