Abstract: A guideway for a vehicle includes a plurality of circular support rings spaced apart along a desired path of travel. The rings are mounted to a surface of the earth and braced against movement. A load bearing surface extends through the respective rings for accommodating the major load of the vehicle. Two roller wheel guide plates extend through the rings, and are spaced apart and mounted on an inner circumference of the rings for guiding the vehicle through rolling engagement with corresponding guide wheels mounted on the vehicle.

Abstract: In magnetic levitation vehicles, supporting and driving forces are generated by a long stator on the track and permanent magnets on the vehicle. The underside of a rail provides the attachment of the long stator; the rail further has two oppositely disposed horizontal running surfaces for pairs of spacer rollers on the vehicle and a vertical running surface for lateral guide rollers on the vehicle. For a particularly simple and inexpensive production of the rail it is proposed to make the one end section of the railhead of the rail the horizontal running surfaces and a lateral guide profile fastened to the underside of the railhead the vertical running surface.

Abstract: An automated electric transportation system which has an electrically driven vehicle (30) including onboard energy storage (34), combined road wheels (56) and rail wheels (58) along with manual controls (68) for transporting people and objects from one place to another. A network of roads (60) and rails (62) is employed with an electrical power bus (100) positioned adjacent to the rails for electrically powering the vehicle while on the rails. An overhead monolift (196) removes the vehicle from the road using a strut arm (208) with casters (184) that extends above the vehicle and deposits the vehicle on the railroad tracks where it is controlled by an onboard computer (134). Automatic controls and indication (132) including this computer regulate the speed and relationship to other vehicles while on the rail network. Another monolift (196) removes the vehicle from the tracks in a similar manner.

Abstract: The invention refers to a transport system with a minimum of two supporting points disposed on opposite sides of inter-connected ring frames, where within the annular tube (21) along tracks travel light rail vehicles with a passenger cabin. The structure of the cabin is similar to that of an airplane fuselage, where the cabins are at the same time supported by the lower and upper rotating bases which are disposed in the shape of rails (2,3) which include the side rails (10) also bonded to the opposite sides of the basic rings (1). The basic rings (1) are inter-connected by side supports (18) bonded by side bonds (19) for longitudinal central supports (12,13) and longitudinal side supports (14,15) disposed on horizontal frame beams (11) of double columns (10) as vertical supports (4b) of the support structure system.

Abstract: A collapsible railing having an upper rail and a plurality of posts hingedly attached to the upper rail at spaced apart locations. A crank including a shaft portion and an arm portion which is mounted for rotation about the long axis of the shaft portion is connected to each post. An actuator actuates the motion of the crank to pivot the posts and the upper rails between a collapsed position in which each post is oriented generally horizontally, and an erect position in which the posts are in an upright position.

Abstract: A rapid transit viaduct system includes a central load bearing body having a pair of lateral platform structures mounted on opposite lower side portions thereof for carrying one or more rapid transit vehicles on either side of the central load bearing body. The viaduct system further includes vertically extending piers positioned below and supporting the central load bearing body.

Abstract: A high degree of accuracy with regard to the location of a line such as a rail line is effected and a rigid, force-receiving connection with regard to a supporting structure and the precisely positioned mounting of components to be connected thereto at predetermined connection sites on a carrying structure particularly for magnetic cushion trains. Adjustable bolt connections have proven to be very awkward to mount and have therefore been replaced by computer controlled machining of connection elements for the components to be connected and which are fixedly connected to the track structure. The machining and also the mounting of the components to be connected is simplified by determining the desired position for the connection elements with regard to the connection sites. The connection elements are provided with spacers sized to guarantee their desired position with regard to the connection sites and by bolt elements screwed to the track standards at the respective connection sites.

Abstract: Station on a railway or similar line, situated on a viaduct consisting of a carrying structure which comprises a running deck (3) stiffened by longitudinal (4), vertical or oblique ribs placed beneath the deck, the carrying structure resting on supports such as piers (1), the station comprising at least one platform element (6) placed along the carrying structure at a level above that of the running deck. The platform element (6) is supported by at least one sustaining piece (10) which on the one hand is connected to the deck by rods or cables (14) which are transverse, horizontal or slightly inclined to the horizontal, and which resist traction, and on the other hand bears on an abutment (13) carried by the closest longitudinal rib.

Abstract: A structure for supporting a trackway of a track following transportation system, particularly, a magnetic suspension railroad and including a support and at least one equipment element having an operational surface and attached to the support. The supporting structure further includes bolts for securing the equipment element to the support. There is further provided a form-locking means which becomes effective only if the fixing bolts fail and which then limits displacement of the equipment element relative to the support to a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A track support element for a maglev track has an upper member consisting of a steel fiber concrete plate provided with the mounting elements for attachment of the maglev rails, stator and the like. This plate is connected by steel struts to a lower member which can be a steel tube filled with steel fiber concrete.

Abstract: A track support which comprises steel structures (3) which are connected to reinforced concrete (1) or prestressed concrete (1) by connecting means (4) in a shear-free manner to form a composite support. The functional components, i.e., the lateral guide rails (3), are welded durably to the steel structures (3) at the upper chord (10) of the track support. In addition, it is possible to make continuous supports of great length from a plurality of individual supports at low cost by connecting the steel structures (3).

Abstract: A device for the support of driving tracks for toy vehicles, in particular driving tracks consisting of track segments which are plugged together and which have a center section laterally bounded by guiding elements. The center section of each track segment is designed to be a road surface forming driving lanes which are spaced above set-up surfaces. Provision is made for the support of track segments on any desired level by an arrangement comprising an upright column designed for connection with a base plate by use of a male and female plug system and consisting of upright column segments. Such segments are axially and detachably plugged into each other one on top of the other and have support arms. These arms are suspendable on such segments of the upright column in prepared holes or are symmetrically supportable on the free end of the upright column by means of a sleeve part.

Abstract: The roadway support of a steel roadway for magnetic tracks includes a cover plate (3) as an upper securing member which at the lower side of its two extending longitudinal edges is welded a side guiderail (4). Parallel to the guiderail and at a spacing thereto is a web-shaped longitudinal support (5) welded thereto, which carries the axial stator components (6). Extending at right angles to the longitudinal support (5) are spaced cross-support (8) which respectively pass as a unitary web connector between the two side guiderails (4). In their crossing region, the longitudinal supports (5) and the cross-supports (8) incorporate oppositely directed cutouts (9) and (10). The longitudinal support is fastened to only one of the two perpendicular side edges of the cutout (10) in the cross-support (8) through a welding seam (17) (FIG. 3).

Abstract: A monorail beam is provided with a lower, upwardly-facing support surface, a lower, laterally-facing support surface and an upper, medially-facing support surface (relative to the support beam). Vehicles are hangingly supported, pendulum-like, from davit-like cantilevering arms of support trucks having wheels which run on or act against the base support surfaces so that they run along the side or sides of the beam. The beam may be elevated on columns, surface mounted, or depressed in tunnels. By preference, the vehicles' bodies are detachable from the trucks, and the heaviest air-conditioning components are mounted on the trucks rather than on the bodies. Power transmission and automatic control systems are described, as are switching systems and station facilities.

Abstract: The guideway is comprised of upper horizontal stringers (20, 22), lower horizontal stringers (24, 26) vertically oriented diagonal members (30, 32) affixed to the upper and lower horizontal stringers (20, 22 and 24, 26) and horizontally oriented diagonal members (34) are affixed between the lower horizontal stringers (24, 26). These features present a guideway having an upwardly extending U-shape construction which can be supplied with wheel supporting channels (28), upper support channels (35) and the entire structure can be reinforced by ribs (60) and enclosed by a cover (50). The ribs include spaced inner and outer members with joined free ends.

Abstract: A vehicle supporting guideway is presented, the guideway is comprised of upper horizontal stringers, lower horizontal stringers vertically oriented diagonal members affixed to the upper and lower horizontal stringers and horizontally oriented diagonal members are affixed between the lower horizontal stringers. These features present a guideway having an upwardly extending U-shape construction which can be supplied with wheel supporting channels, and upper support channels. The entire structure is reinforced by ribs which are generally within the horizontal stringers, and the entire guideway may be enclosed by a cover. Overlapping members join adjacent sections of the horizontal stringers together.

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.

Abstract: A conveyor for carrying roofing debris to the edge of a roof which may be easily assembled on a roof with any pitch, moved from area to area as the work of tearing off old roofing material progresses and disassembled. A track, an assembly of track sections, is supported on a number of H frames which are braced and adjustable to accommodate any slant to the roof, by legs slidably adjustable in sleeved attachments to horizontal supporting bars. A winch, attached toward the loading end of the track, with cable attached to the winch and cart, controls descent of the cart down the track and may also be used to draw the cart back toward the loading end.

Abstract: The track for driverless vehicles has a low profile with a rail extending along one side edge portion of the track structure and a drive shaft extending along the opposite side edge portion of the track structure. The drive shaft performs the dual function of supporting wheels on one side of a driverless vehicle and driving the vehicle by frictional contact with said wheels. The rail and the periphery of the drive shaft at the 12 o'clock position thereon are substantially the same elevation.

Abstract: A transportation system for rapidly loading people from a platform into and from a plurality of cars. The system includes an elongated trackway which extends along a platform. Trolleys extend between the trackway and the cars supporting the cars on the trackway. The cars have side doors extending along the length thereof which open towards the platform to provide access to a single row of seats carried in the vehicles facing the doors. The doors can be automatically opened and closed upon reaching the platform. The trackway includes upper lower and intermediate rails upon which upper, lower and intermediate wheels, carried by the trolleys, engage to provide an interlocking relation therebetween. A vertically extending keel is carried by at least some of the vehicles for engaging power driven wheels that are positioned along the trackway.

Abstract: A girder for supporting a movable body has a truss structure of a cross-sectional shape forming an isosceles triangle with a horizontal base. The truss structure is formed of three main tubes of a circular cross section that are located in positions corresponding to respective corners of the triangle and extend continuously over the length of the girder. A plurality of branch tubes of circular cross section are fixed at their ends to respective pairs of the main tubes by joint pieces, such that three branch tubes lie in a plane extending through the respective joint pieces perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the main tubes so as to form the isosceles triangle. A rail support is secured to each main tube of the base of the isosceles triangle at a position disposed upwardly and outwardly of the center thereof, and a rail, along which the movable body is traversable, is supported on each rail support.

Abstract: A noise control apparatus for reducing a sound volume of a noise propagating from a noise source such as a railroad includes a sound arresting wall placed apart from the noise source. Means for shifting in phase and refracting the acoustic wave of the noise is disposed at substantially the top of the noise arresting wall. The above means, for example, has a plurality of passageways extending substantially along the propagating direction of the acoustic wave of the noise and the length of the passageways varies. Through the above means, a part of the acoustic wave from the noise source is refracted and the phase thereof is shifted to be a refracted propagating sound, which thereafter interferes with the other part of the acoustic wave directly from the noise source to thereby reduce a sound volume to a great extent.

Abstract: In an elevated railway system having a track comprising upper and lower rails extending longitudinally along one side of a beam structure, and passenger cars traveling on the track having doors on their sides adjacent the beam structure, a passenger station comprising an elevator shaft structure, including an elevator car, which extends up from ground level through a gap in the beam structure. A track section with upper and lower rails in continuity with the rails on the beam structure extends alongside the elevator shaft structure at the bottom and top of the door of a car stopped at the station, permitting passenger egress from and ingress to the passenger car and the elevator car between the rails at the station.

Abstract: Intermediate regions are provided between straight and circular-arc slide sections having a curved sliding surface in cross-section, the intermediate regions being clothoid-shaped in top view. In an intermediate region, which starts with a quarter-elliptic cross-section of the sliding surface at the outer side of the curve corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the straight slide section, the ratio between the major and the minor axes of the ellipse continuously changes towards the other end so that individual trajectories depending on the velocity of the vehicle form in top view a sheaf of clothoids having the same initial point. The individual structural elements of the slide are flanged at their ends, one flange, each, of two structural elements being adjustable in various directions and supported by a strut.

Abstract: An auxiliary drive traction system for an automated guideway transit (AGT) vehicle. Remotely controlled hydraulic or electrically powered auxiliary drive systems are used to drive the AGT vehicle's lateral guide wheels, which are biased against a running surface, thus providing an auxiliary drive and braking system. A remotely controlled clutch may be added so as to selectively couple the auxiliary drive system and the guide wheels. A protective skirt is attached to the edges of the guideway assembly along its entire length in order to shield the guide wheel running surfaces from adverse weather conditions.

Abstract: A pulpwood harvesting system for cutting and transporting trees upon a fragile terrain so as to have a dispersed and minimal impact on the terrain. A rail network is supported above the surface of the terrain upon spaced vertical pilings. Trees are cut and reduced to bulk by a mobile tree harvester and transported to the rail network by a mobile forwarder. The tree harvester and forwarder move upon tracks or other means to disperse their weight. The rail network is progressively installed by a mobile rail layer supported upon previously installed rails. Automated lorries receive the bulk pulpwood and transport it upon the rail network to a distant unloading site.

Abstract: A recreational mountain slide is basically a double-rail track down which a wheeled cart rolls. The rails are channels of substantially rectangular cross-section laid such that each provides a top, a bottom, and an inside vertical face, each such face being substantially flat, continuous, and unobstructed throughout the length of the track. The rails are mounted on supports which are adjustable and readily removable, being attached to the rails solely along their outer vertical faces. The front wheels of the cart are steerable by the rider. Each wheel is of constant diameter throughout its width and is wider than the rail on which it runs. The wheels are restrained from sliding laterally or jumping vertically off the track by members mounted on the cart in position to bear on the inside vertical face or the bottom face, respectively, of the adjacent rail. The cart also has brakes which can bear upwardly on the bottom face of the rail.

Abstract: A guideway for use for example as an elevated roadway is constructed by forming guideway units comprising a massive elongated metal channel having one or a plurality, usually at least three, tubular metal tension void members running lengthwise down its interior and connected to its inside walls along its entire length. The void forming members are connected to the channel walls via longitudinal web members. Transverse shear connectors may also be provided above the void-forming members. The ends of the channel are closed and after hoisting each unit into position on spaced supports which engage beneath its ends it is filled with settable material, usually concrete, which encloses the tubular members to form a composite structure. The side walls preferably are inclined inward between a bottom sheet and the top vertical portions of the side sheets to give an aesthetic appearance, provide streamlining and reduced unwanted dead weight.

Abstract: A strong, lightweight monorail guideway assembly for carrying a monorail train vehicle in transport having selectively joined load-bearing rails which are structurally reinforceable on site in relation to support columns holding the track in suspension. Variations in stresses placed on the track are accommodated by the track structure while minimizing overall weight and material consumption. An easily accessible hollow interior provides protection and serviceability for electrical conduit placed therein. A conduit immediately adjacent the running surface may be selectively heated to inhibit icing.

Abstract: An overhead track assembly for an amusement-park ride has a plurality of bases adapted to rest on the ground and each supporting an upright post having an upper end forming a support surface and having a pin projecting upwardly from this support surface. A plurality of track sections each include a central hollow beam having one end formed with an upper eye and another end formed with a lower eye, a pair of generally parallel rails flanking the beam and adapted to guide a car longitudinally along the beam, and transverse members interconnecting these rails and the beam rigidly. The track sections are secured to the upper ends of the posts with the pins at these upper ends extending upwardly through the lower eye of one respective beam and through the upper eye of another respective beam.

Abstract: A vehicle is supended on a pair of slotted rails of tubular shape. The vehicle has a plurality of support members sloping downwardly from the sides of the car and having running gear thereon engaging within the rails through the slots. The vehicle is preferably of light weight materials and provided with some form of aerodynamic means to provide lift as the vehicle passes through the air along a right of way. The running gear includes rolling friction means designed to function in any event from low speed with maximum weight to negative gravity at high speeds.

Abstract: A device for controlling a propagation direction of noise, which is preferably associated with a sound insulating wall to significantly improve its sound reducing effect of alleviating noise emitted from a noise source such as a railroad, highway and the like on which an electric car and automobiles run. The device comprises a hollow structural body composed of a plurality of elongated vertical hollow passages arranged at right angles to a substrate and spaced apart from each other by means of partition walls. The upper noise inlet side surface of the hollow passages face a propagation direction of noise emitted from the noise source and serve to refract and lag in phase the noise passed therethrough, thereby producing a sound reducing region located intermediate between a direct sound propagation and the refracted sound propagation. In one embodiment, a pair of hollow structural bodies are arranged in opposition to each other to form an arch type device.

Abstract: A noise control device which produces behind it an enlarged sound reducing region is disclosed. The device comprises a hollow structural body composed of a plurality of elongate hollow passages which are different in length and constructed such that the passage length is made the longest at a substantially center part in a vertical direction and is made gradually shorter from the center part toward upper and lower edges of the hollow structural body. The upper and lower edges allow direct propagation sound emitted from a noise source to pass thereover and therethrough.

Abstract: An elevated dual-rail transit guideway in which the structural spanning members are shaped so as to serve also as baffles for suppressing the propagation of noise into the surroundings. The interior surface of the baffles may be treated with sound absorbing material to further improve their effectiveness.

Abstract: A device for controlling a propagation direction of noise which is preferably associated with a sound insulating wall to significantly improve its sound reducing effect of alleviating noise emitted from a noise source such as a railroad, highway and the like on which an electric car and automobiles run. The device comprises a hollow structural body composed of a plurality of elongate hollow passages superimposed one upon the other and spaced apart from each other. The passages are arranged in a propagation direction of noise emitted from the noise source and serve to refract and lag in phase the noise passed therethrough, thereby producing a sound reducing region located intermediate between a direct propagation sound and the refraction propagation sound.

Abstract: A track for combined monorail and overhead monorail having a power supply and control tracks consisting of a U-shaped rail section having inwardly extending flanges at its upper sides for receiving the rollers or wheels of the accessory device. At least one shoulder section is formed on the lower surface of the bottom portion of the U-shaped rail section as well as on the upper surface of the upper inwardly extending flange so that the track can be mounted on a suitable support or suspension structure.

Abstract: A track for vehicles which is particularly adapted for amusement park rides having a plurality of banked curves. The track comprises a pair of track rails connected to a lower backbone pipe. In curved sections, the plane of the track rails extends at varying banked angles around the course line of the track. In such sections, the distances between the plane of the track rails and the backbone pipe varies in direct relationship to the bank angle of the curve. The distance between the plane of the track rails and the course line remains constant. The plane of the backbone pipe also remains parallel to the plane of the course line. The course line is preferably disposed a substantial distance above the plane of the track rails.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for supporting load bearing, sharply curved girders, particularly for use in a transportation system. The sharply curved girders are supported only at their ends, even for those of substantial length, so as to reduce the number of vertical supports for the girders. This is achieved by providing a relatively short cross-support for the girder extending from the vertical support through the girder at each end thereof, with that cross-support or console having one end bearing on the vertical support and the other end forming a portion of a pivot bearing positioned on the inside of the curve of the girder. A crossbeam rigidly connected to the vertical support also extends transversely of each girder end and forms the opposite portion of the pivot bearing. Thus, torsional forces tending to twist the outside of the curve of the girder downwardly under load is compensated by the pivot bearing which provides a twisting force in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A protective housing is provided for electrical rails and the like, namely, reaction (secondary) rails and slide pick-up lines for operating electro linear propulsion motors for monorail vehicles. The new and improved housing is of simplified construction and enables comparatively large protective plate members to be assembled in the form of a tight housing on elevated monorail structures. The protective plates may be readily removed and slidingly displaced to expose the normally protected electrical components for maintenance, replacement or repair.

Abstract: A vehicle track and vehicle of the same general class of vehicles which includes toboggans, bobsleds, roller coasters, and other free-falling vehicles. The track includes a multiplicity of longitudinally joined, juxtaposed track sections and stanchions for supporting the section at selected elevations above the ground. Each section further includes a rigid supporting frame extending between adjacent stanchions and a pair of generally parallel, spaced-apart rails secured to the frame in a vertically spaced-apart relationship thereto. The frame and rails define therebetween an elongated channel. The vehicle includes an enclosure dimensioned to accomodate at least one person and to be received within the aforementioned channel. A plurality of wheels are rotatably mounted to the vehicle and in rolling engagement with the rails by means of axles secured to the vehicle at points above the bottom of the vehicle enclosure.

Abstract: An overhead transportation system comprising for a depending and longitudinally traversible vehicle an overhead trackway as a pair of longitudinally slottedly vented tubular conduits maintained above the earth's surface with a series of pillars and having an overlying protective shield. The vehicle powering means comprises a pair of co-traversible jet engines situated within respective conduits and connected to the underlying vehicle with a dual-arms hangar means along which arms the engines' fuel-line extends. The trackway is lubricated from a longitudinally extending lubeline with syncronizeably operated nozzles spaced therealong and communicating with the conduit innerwall, and a longitudinally extending troughline collects the liquid lubricant, there being provision for re-cycling the lubricant for high-pressure re-injection into the conduits through said lubeline nozzles.

Abstract: A roadway for rapid transit railways comprises concrete or reinforced concrete piers supporting an all steel support or suspension structure for the support and/or suspension as well as guiding of the vehicles.