Abstract: An electrically powered vehicle transportation system utilizes a guideway with parallel enclosed rails. Each enclosed rail has an electrical bus bar for supplying power to vehicles on the guideway. The guideway will accommodate dual-mode vehicles that are capable of usage on conventional streets as well as on the guideway. The guideway also accommodates conventional vehicles and ferries that operate only on the guideway. The dual-mode vehicle has a body with axles that are extensible. The axles move from a retracted position, with the wheels recessed within the wheel wells, to an extended position. In the extended position, the wheels locate within the enclosed rails. Conventional vehicles and freight are carried on ferries that move along the guideways.

Abstract: A guide wheel assembly, which can be preassembled as a single unit, is configured to be connectable to a guide frame of a rail guided vehicle. The guide wheel assembly generally includes a fixed component connectable to the guide frame and a rotating component rotatably supported on the fixed component by a bearing assembly. The elements of the fixed component, the rotating component and the bearing assembly are assembled on a shaft of the fixed component from a top or first end of the shaft. The shaft includes a support member secured at a second end of the shaft and configured to prevent the rotating component from detaching from the fixed component in the event of bearing failure.

Abstract: An electrically powered vehicle transportation system utilizes a guideway with parallel enclosed rails. Each enclosed rail has an electrical bus bar for supplying power to vehicles on the guideway. The guideway will accommodate dual-mode vehicles that are capable of usage on conventional streets as well as on the guideway. The guideway also accommodates conventional vehicles and ferries that operate only on the guideway. The dual-mode vehicle has a body with axles that are extensible. The axles move from a retracted position, with the wheels recessed within the wheel wells, to an extended position. In the extended position, the wheels locate within the enclosed rails. Conventional vehicles and freight are carried on ferries that move along the guideways.

Abstract: A ring-transport type system with load carrying vehicles traveling in one direction, with junctions connecting track on or above ground. The junctions are divided into two types where the first is of an active type for vehicle guiding including a straight track section and an off-line track section curving off the direction of travel. The second type of junction is passive and includes a straight main track section and a curved track section arranged in such a way that vehicles backing through the passive junction under normal conditions follow the straight track section.

Abstract: A mobile carriage system includes a pair of spaced, parallel end rails fixed to a support surface, often with one or more intermediate rails fixed to the support surface and located parallel to and between the pair of end rails. At least one carriage is supported for movement on the end and intermediate rails. The carriage includes an elongated frame that spans all of the rails. At least two drive units, each including a pair of wheels and supporting the carriage on a different one of the rails are provided. The drive units are operatively connected to a drive shaft which extends across a plurality of the rails. The drive shaft and each of the drive units are coupled by a drive gear on the shaft which has a first effective diameter and a driven gear on the drive unit, which has a second effective diameter substantially greater than the first effective diameter. Thus, the drive units minimize torsion twisting of the drive shaft during use.

Abstract: An electrically powered vehicle transportation system utilizes a guideway with parallel enclosed rails. Each enclosed rail has an electrical bus bar for supplying power to vehicles on the guideway. The guideway will accommodate dual-mode vehicles that are capable of usage on conventional streets as well as on the guideway. The guideway also accommodates conventional vehicles and ferries that operate only on the guideway. The dual-mode vehicle has a body with axles that are extensible. The axles move from a retracted position, with the wheels recessed within the wheel wells, to an extended position. In the extended position, the wheels locate within the enclosed rails. Conventional vehicles and freight are carried on ferries that move along the guideways.

Abstract: A wheel assembly for a rail vehicle that travels on a rail; the wheel assembly comprising a wheel axle, a wheel and a derail guard. The wheel is mounted for rotation about an axis defined by the wheel axle. The wheel has an annular flange on one side thereof, which is adjacent one side of the rail. The derail guard includes a connecting portion, mounted for pivotal movement about the axis of the wheel axle, and a guard portion, depending and hanging pendulously from the connecting portion. The guard portion is disposed on a side of the rail opposite the one side and extends downwardly under the force of gravity. The guard portion is pivotally movable in a direction generally parallel to the rail when contacted by an obstacle adjacent the opposite side of the rail.

Abstract: A dual use transportation system having a dual mode guideway infrastructure with guide rails, power and communication sources adjacent to a roadway surface and with dual use vehicles having a movable, detachable connector gear assembly that moves to extend outward from vehicle and connect to guiderails on the guideway for safe, high speed, guided and controlled captive vehicle movement; and further that connector gear detaches from rail system and connector gear retracts into body of vehicle, wherein vehicle then operates in a free roving conventional manner independent of guideway.

Abstract: A non-derailable train system including a movable crossing platform for preventing train derailments. The non-derailable train system including a movable crossing platform includes spaced tracks having a rounded upper surface, train wheels having a concave outer perimeter wall complimentary to the rounded upper surface of the tracks for preventing lateral removal of the wheels from the tracks. Also included is a movable platform system for facilitating crossing of the tracks by other vehicles.

Abstract: A wooden rail for a ride, in particular for a roller coaster, comprising a number of layers of individual planks/boards, laminated veneer wood or presspahn wood, bonded with each other and milled to the precise rail form in accordance with the roller coaster design. Furthermore, the invention refers to a method for the fabrication of such a wooden rail, wherein the layers are bonded with each other to form a wood package in oversize and wherein, after hardening, the bonded wood package is given the precise rail form in accordance with the design of the ride by means of machining. Finally, the invention also refers to a method for mounting such a wooden rail on a rail support, fixed to a trestle of the ride, wherein the finished rails, particularly those provided with steel sheets, rail joints and connection elements, are secured to said rail support.

Abstract: A power supply system for a long-stator drive having at least two independent tracks, which each have at least one long-stator section and which can be connected to one another using at least one track-changing device, the long-stator sections being split into a plurality of drive regions, using which each vehicle can be independently driven, and at least one track-changing device having at least one electrical contact which is positively guided by the track-changing device in such a manner that an electrical connection can be produced or eliminated between various long-stator sections.

Abstract: This invention is a transportation system and method of transport the provides a way for transport of vehicles in which the vehicles are loaded onto self-propelled pallets that are coupled to self-propelled apparatus that is in turn coupled to a fixed and predetermined guide.

Abstract: A mobile carriage system includes a pair of end rails (12a, 12c) fixed to a support surface and one or more intermediate rails (12b) located parallel to and between the pair of end rails (12a, 12c). At least one carriage (10) is supported for movement on the end and intermediate rails (12a-c). The carriage (10) includes an elongated frame (17) that spans all of the rails. At least two drive units, each including a pair of wheels (23) and supporting the carriage on a different one of the rails are provided. The drive units are operatively connected to a drive shaft (35) which extends across a plurality of the rails. The drive shaft (35) and each of the drive units are coupled by a drive gear (33) on the shaft which has a substantially smaller diameter than the diameter of driven gears (29) on the units. An electric motor (41) is operatively connected to the drive shaft (35).

Abstract: A safety bracket for a vehicle used on a monorail having a top and bottom is disclosed. The vehicle includes a trolley that engages the monorail and propels the vehicle along the monorail. A load portion is attached to the trolley. The load portion can perform predetermined tasks. The safety bracket is connected to the vehicle between the trolley and the load portion. The safety bracket fully supports the vehicle on the monorail when the trolley separates from the monorail. The safety bracket is adapted to move with the trolley and the load portion. The safety bracket includes an attachment piece attached to the vehicle and positioned between the trolley and the load portion. An arm piece is attached to the attachment piece and extends over and above the top of the monorail. The arm piece has an hook section that extends a predetermined distance below the top of the monorail.

Abstract: A racing-type amusement ride utilizes a self-propelled vehicle which has guide wheels to move along a track having a beginning end, a finish end, a first lateral side, a second lateral side, a top, a rail along which a guide wheel of the self-propelled vehicle runs situated on the top of the track, and attached to at least one lateral side of said track between the beginning end of the track and the finish end of the track a frictional strip. Deceleration of the self-propelled vehicle is accomplished by having at least one brake pad so attached to the self-propelled vehicle that such brake pad will come into contact with a frictional strip.

Abstract: A portable tracked wheel allows the operator or robot to move a vehicle from a surface track to another, or free the vehicle from guided motion without disassembly or modification of the wheel or track. By depressing the lock tab manually with hand or foot or remotely by mechanical or robotic means, the track retention mechanism can be positively engaged and the motion of the vehicle disposed to the track. Disengagement from the track is accomplished by depressing the lock tab in the same manner, allowing the retention mechanism to rotate out of the track, thereby freeing the motion of the vehicle. The anti-lift tracking mechanism is spring-loaded to maintain constant adhering force between the wheel and the tracked surface. Lateral translation of the wheel on the track is precluded by a slanted contact interface between the device and the track.

Abstract: In the front wheel assembly of a luggage or shopping cart, a sensor wheel is supported by a wheel bracket between a pair of caster wheels so as to be rotatable around a common horizontal wheel shaft and moveable downward from a neutral position coaxial with the caster wheels. Thus, even when the cart is tilted sideways, one of the caster wheels always support the load of the cart, and serves as a center of pivotal movement of the front wheel assembly which allows the sensor wheel to be safely lifted out of the slot in the floor. Therefore, the sensor wheel is prevented from being wedged in the slot, and would not be damaged substantially under any circumstances. Additionally, a first locking arrangement allows the cart to be stationary on the conveyor surface, and a second locking arrangement allows the front wheel to remain in the straight ahead position even when the front wheel assembly hangs from an edge of a step of an escalator.

Abstract: A system is provided that uses small carrier vehicles that operate along electrified guideways and use standardized connections to automatically carry passenger cabins, freight loads and automobile platforms to desired destinations. Front and rear bogies of the vehicles pivot about front and rear vertical turn axes and carry direction control wheels that cooperate with guide ribs along tracks for selective control of movement to either of two exits from a Y junction. Electric power which can be three phase AC power can be supplied through upper and lower track structures. The upper track structures can define the guide ribs.

Abstract: A laterally mobile modular storage cabinet system having improved anti-tip bracket secured to the wheeled carriage frame, and engaging the rail support pad. The anti-tip bracket is in the configuration of an inverted "T". The bracket includes an elongated leg portion with a cross-member forming a pair of transversely extending legs at the base thereof, and is formed of an acetal polymer with the repeating unit being oxymethylene, and with a melting point of between about 175.degree. C. and 181.degree. C. The rail support pad has a groove formed along the upper surface thereof to engage the anti-tip bracket, and the two transversely extending legs provide support to restrain arcuate tipping of the wheeled frame and cabinet enclosure from the rail support pad.

Abstract: A transport system for moving along a track on a support surface. The system includes a body, a guide system and a powered self-steering caster assembly. The guide system cooperates with the track to apply lateral forces to the body to guide it along a predetermined path when a propulsive force is applied to the body. The powered self-steering caster assembly has a pivot joint and a wheel driven by a motor. The wheel has a center of rotation and is rotatably mounted to engage the support surface and roll in a forward direction. The pivot joint is mounted to the body to allow the wheel to pivot about a predetermined axis intersecting the support surface forward of the engagement between the wheel and the support surface. The wheel drives the body and pivots in response to frictional side slip forces between the wheel and the support surface without restraint from a steering linkage.

Abstract: An amusement ride for humans which is constructed to include a plurality of separate tracks located in a side-by-side relationship. On each track is located a vehicle, with this vehicle including a propulsion system which is activated and controlled by a human operator located within the vehicle. The vehicle is mounted in conjunction with a track which keeps each vehicle confined to its particular track and permits the vehicle to move between a Start position and Finish position on the track. Associated with each track is an automatic brake system to stop the vehicle. Each track is composed of a plurality of separate guide rail sections which are located in a spaced apart arrangement with the separate guide rail sections being mounted in an in-line manner within the track. A guide blade is mounted on each vehicle and is to connect with each of these guide rail sections as the vehicle moves along the track.

Abstract: An apparatus for conveying work objects having a conveyor for moving the work objects in a predetermined direction of travel to a terminus; linking assemblies for individually releasably interconnecting the work objects and the conveyor for movement of the work objects in the direction of travel; and a collection area adjacent to the terminus for receiving the work objects.

Abstract: Apparatus for distributing products from a central unit to a plurality of peripheral units, including at least one annular guide which connects the central unit to at least one part of the peripheral units, at least one independently motorized trolley for conveying at least one product container, the trolley being retained on the guide, and at least one device, present at each peripheral unit, for removing and conveying the container to a region for the use of the products.

Abstract: A gantry adapted for operation along rails attached to the top of a railroad car includes two pairs of wheels, each pair operating on a respective rail. A base support member is positioned above the rail and between the wheels on each side of the gantry. Should one end of the gantry be inadvertently driven off of the rails, the base support members engage the rails to prevent the gantry from toppling off of the railroad car. In addition, a safety rail is positioned inside of and above each rail and a plurality of J-hooks are attached to the inside of each base support member to engage the safety rails and prevent the gantry from tipping from side-to-side. All four wheels are independently driven and the gantry is adapted to support a commercially available crane, the position of which can be vertically adjusted via spacers. A number of other safety features are included.

Abstract: A hook for a guard rail assembly has a vertical and a horizontal leg at one end adapted to engage a guard rail and a fastener receptacle at the other end adapted to receive a resilient fastener.

Abstract: A support block for a guard rail assembly has a vertical wall with non parallel front and rear surfaces. A pair of spaced legs project laterally from the front surface of the vertical wall. One of the legs has inner and outer side walls which are joined by an outer end wall. The inner and outer side walls extend different distances from the front surface such that the outer end wall tapers and is non parallel to the front surface.

Abstract: The present invention features a safety device that activates the air-brake system immediately upon the detection and/or occurrence of a railroad car derailment condition. The safety device includes a bar entension disposed beneath each car of a train. The extension bar is disposed transverse to the parallel rails and is positioned a few (approximately four) inches above them. When any one of the cars is caused to derail, the extension bar contacts the rail, causing a trip valve in the air-brake line to open. The opening of the trip valve gradually releases the air pressure in the line, thus automatically and instantaneously actuating the air-brake system throughout the train. The gradual release of the air pressure in the air-brake system provides more time for the engineer of the train to bring the train under control and reduces the possibility of damage and injury caused by the derailment.

Abstract: A guard rail assembly for mounting a guard bar has a support bracket for mounting the guard bar, a support block and a hook for engaging the guard bar. An elastic fastener engages the support block and the hook and draws the hook and bar towards the support bracket to lock the guard bar on the support bracket.

Abstract: A movable die support cart with a frame structure supported by spaced axles consisting of continuous beams extending parallel to the axles and continuous plate members extending normal to the beams and beneath the beams. Each plate member is configured with an upwardly curved arch between its end portions. The beams and plate members are attached together by welds to define an upwardly convex die support surface in the unloaded condition and a flatter surface in the loaded condition.

Abstract: A base for a storage and retrieval machine is disclosed in which the frame of the base comprises a pair of spaced apart frame members having a length generally parallel to the rail upon which the base travels and extending a portion of the length of the base. The frame members are positioned straddling the rail with the rail projecting upward into the space between the frame members. A mast is mounted on the base and supports a vertically movable carriage means for carrying objects to and from overhead locations. The pair of frame members may comprise a pair of L-shaped members each having a downwardly projecting upper wall spaced apart from the upper wall of the other L-shaped member and a lower wall projecting away from the lower wall of the other L-shaped member in a direction laterally of the length of the base. The base includes first and second trucks located at opposite ends of the pair of L-shaped members.

Abstract: A novel baby walker with a safety track feature, involving cooperating and complementary track and securement structure which secure said walker movably and rollably by cooperating wheels, with respect to the track, is disclosed. The track comprises an upwardly-extending shaped protuberance for movable securement thereto of complementary locking portions on the walker and a relatively flat outwardly-extending portion or platform for contact with wheels associated with the locking portions, so that the walker may be movably and removably secured to said track and moved along the track by the occupant of the vehicle by wheels riding on the flat portion of said track on the one side and by wheels riding on the floor on the other side of said walker. In a preferred embodiment, spring-biased track lock-on levers having complementary track lock-on hook portions are provided for convenient attachment to and detachment from the track.

Abstract: A sleighroad is disclosed including a wheelless transportation system with a locomotive including motorized horsehoofing thrusters for propelling a plurality of carriages equipped with ball thrust bearings for running on steel rails instead of using conventional carriage wheels and wherein the carriages include side-mounted roller thrust bearings operatively connected to side guard railings to keep the carriages on track.

Abstract: An orientable axle with independent wheels comprises a beam perpendicular the axis of the wheels. It also comprises sensors (16, 20) for measuring the position of the beam with respect to the track; a reference position with respect to the track is predetermined. Electromagnets (22) carried by the axle cooperate with the track for exerting on the axle a force for orientating it. A control circuit delivers a current to the electromagnets for moving the axle in an angular direction which tends to cancel out the difference between the measured position and the reference position. The axle can be used on railroad vehicles having to negociate curves at high speeds.

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.

Abstract: A rail vehicle with spring support of its car body on an underframe with flanged wheels for guidance and support on a track. Permanent magnets are provided on the underframe, which exert an attraction counter to the wheel load on armature bars extending along the track. The magnetic force of the magnets is controllable as a function of the load (weight) of the car body by an increase or decrease of the magnetic resistance of a ferromagnetic magnet core by mechanical means as the load decreases or increases.

Abstract: An aerial cable transportation system is disclosed that includes at least one vehicle supported on a carriage through a suspension with a plurality of clamps for disengageably securing the carriage to a pair of endless carrier and traction cables that are parallel to and alongside each other in a horizontal direction. The parallel cables are driven continuously at the same speed and supported by intermediate support and/or compression towers, each of which has a base, a shaft, a horizontal transverse cross arm, and two series of support and/or compression rollers for the cables. The clamps consist of two pairs of clamps, with each of the pairs of clamps being associated with one of the cables. The clamps define a rigid quadrilateral in the form of a parallelogram which is not a rectangle and which, in the engaged state, favors the synchronous passage of the two cables.

Abstract: An oil drainage pan construction for fast oil change establishments comprising a rectangular open topped pan having a screen over the top with the pan adapted to be rolled longitudinally along beneath an automobile chassis which is mounted on spaced beams having flanges. The pan has rollers to roll on the flanges for supporting the pan and the rollers are carried on brackets which are laterally extensible to support and adjust the pans and insure that the wheels are in engagement with the flanges and the brackets are reversible to change the height of the pan with plates on the ends of the brackets to slide along the ends of the flanges and positively align the pan.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for moving a hose hauler apparatus through an arc includes a pressure plate which is anchored in a manner to secure the pressure plate at a fixed location on the surface of the earth. An elevating apparatus is attached to the pressure plate. The elevating apparatus can be raised or lowered and has a platform on its upper surface. A linkage capture apparatus is attached to the platform. In use the device is inserted under a hose hauler, anchored and the linkage capturing apparatus is raised until the linkage is secured. Several of the devices are placed as required to initiate desired arcuate deviation in the hose hauler.

Abstract: A stores handling apparatus for moving and positioning stores relative a parked aircraft to facilitate loading thereof comprises a beam member (21) having releasable coupling means (22) near each end for attachment of at least one stores carrying trolley (23) and so that each trolley projects substantially parallel to the beam member. Means such as rollers (24) or wheels (33) provide for movement of the beam member along a surface, and guide means (25) are adapted in operation for engagement with guide means (39) formed in a trackway (38) on the surface.In operation, the stores handling apparatus is used in combination with an aircraft moving apparatus operable to align an aircraft on the trackway and, preferably, of a type comprising a trolley (50) movable along the same trackway.The apparatus and system of this invention is particularly suited for use in the moving and positioning of stores relative an aircraft parked on the deck of a ship.

Abstract: A stabilizing device for a satellite tracking communications aerial comprises a first element which depends from the frame of the aerial and a second element which carries at its lower end one or more rollers arranged to run along the downwardly facing surface of a rail. The first element carries a plate and the second element carries plates. A spring extends between the plates so that the rollers are biased into contact with the surface and any tendency of the aerial to rise is resisted by the action of the spring on the plate.

Abstract: A system for automatically guiding a vehicle provided with pneumatically tired wheels comprises first and second rollers 7, 7' which follow a rail 8 extending in the path of movement of the vehicle. The first roller is supported by a fork-shaft 9, 10 extending in the direction of movement of the vehicle and capable of oscillating vertically about a horizontal axis 11. It is fastened to a turret 12 connected to at least one coupling bar 17 hinged to a steering lever 6. The second roller is supported by a second support arm extending in the opposite direction, which may also oscillate vertically about a horizontal axis and pivot horizontally independently of the turret, to a limited extent. The vehicle can be guided alternately either by a mechanical type of automatic system, used when the vehicle moves on an appropriate infrastructure, or manually by the driver, when the vehicle moves autonomously.

Abstract: In an aerial transport system in which a carriage approaches a station or other fixed parts of the system, a device for stabilizing the carriage as it approaches the station or the other parts, comprising a pair of outward-facing bumping elements on the carriage, and a pair of bars in a V-shape, open towards the direction of approach of the carriage, in between which the bumping elements enter and are restricted as the carriage approaches the station and the other parts. The bars are supported so that they can be moved apart by the impact of the bumping elements, against a resilient restoring force.

Abstract: A steerable vehicle adapted to be driven on roads, especially for the public local passenger traffic, which has a steerable axle with deflectable wheels and at least one axle with wheels immovable relative to the axle which is pivotally secured at the vehicle in a bogey-like manner, and with cross-guide rollers mounted on both sides of the vehicle within the area of the vehicle axles and carried at least indirectly by the respective axle bodies. The pivotal axle is elastically centered in a straight driving position, out of which it is pivotal by the steering forces produced by the cross-guide rollers against the force of centering springs, whereby the centering springs and the prestress are chosen so strong that brake force differences of one vehicle side compared to the other side do not effect an automatic axle deflection.

Abstract: A toy train in which each track length or section is mounted in a base having a spaced longitudinal slot parallel with the tracks and outside of the tracks. In addition to the conventional rails, and lying between them, a pair of spaced parallel rails are mounted for carrying the electric current to the train. A transparent curved cover is arched over the tracks with the edges of the cover entering the slots in the base. When the track lengths are joined at the ends, a connecting strip also joins the contiguous edges of the transparent cover to form a continuous enclosed transparent tube. The train is generally annular to fit the tube. Besides the conventional flanged wheels for riding the rails, the train is also provided with a pair of grooved wheels adapted to engage the electrical rails. This not only supplies the electrical current to the train, but also serves to hold the train on the tracks and prevent derailment at high speeds especially around the curves.

Abstract: A traffic system consisting of vehicle and road, in particular for the public local passenger traffic, with automatically cross-controllable vehicles, with a track-determining guide device extending along a desired track and with a cross-positional controller in the vehicle detecting the course of the guide device and acting on the steerable wheels of the vehicle; for purposes of catching a vehicle that deviates from the track, an emergency safety channel delimited by vertical side webs is provided along the road between the support wheels of the vehicle, whose width corresponds to the maximum permissive cross-positional tolerance of the vehicle on the road without lateral collision; at least one emergency safety bolt which is normally taken along in the raised position and is adapted to be rapidly lowerable, is provided centrally of the vehicle at the bottom side thereof; the safety bolt is able to support itself at the side webs of the emergency safety channel while feelers provided at the vehicle on both s

Abstract: A toy racing car is provided which may be steered from one slot to another on a multi-slotted wide track. The car is electrically energized through electrically conductive strips extending along both sides of the slots either internally or externally of the slots, and the car has a solenoid operated pin which extends down into the slot to hold the car on course. The car may be turned in one direction or another by selecting the polarity of the voltage applied to the electric motor in the car, and the pin may be released from the slot by a high voltage pulse, or, alternately by the interruption of a high voltage, thereby permitting the car to be steered either to the left or to the right to the next adjacent slot on the track.

Abstract: A slide bar for guiding the carriage of a measuring or tracing device along a side of a levelling plate. The slide bar includes a guide rail which is divided into a first strip and a second strip having respective guide faces, the first and second strips being connected by a connector capable of acting as a biaxial joint, and the second strip being positionable adjustably with respect to the levelling plate by means of securing devices and distance pieces such that it may be brought exactly into parallelism with a reference line on the levelling plate.

Abstract: A positive guide system for road vehicles equipped with non-deflectable rear wheels, in which guide elements are arranged at the same distance in front of and to the rear of the rear axle, as viewed in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A handling installation designed for supporting, displacing and stacking loads in predetermined positions comprising, in combination, at least one load storage zone having at least one gangway extending therein, the or each gangway being provided on either side with fixed members comprising an upper track and a lower track, and a vehicle having tired support wheels for carrying the vehicle on the floor external to the or each gangway, and being further provided with flanged metal rollers for supporting the vehicle on the lower track during movement of the vehicle along the or a chosen gangway, the flanged metal rollers including inner flanges for guiding the vehicle on the lower tracks and the vertical spacing between the upper and lower tracks being sufficient to provide clearance for the flanged metal rollers while ensuring stability of the vehicle against any tilting movement of the vehicle when the vehicle is under load in the gangway.

Abstract: An amusement ride for humans which is constructed to include a plurality of separate tracks located in a side-by-side relationship. On each track is located a vehicle, with this vehicle including a propulsion system which is activated and controlled by a human operator located within the vehicle. The vehicle is mounted in conjunction with a track which keeps each vehicle confined to its particular track and permits the vehicle to move between a Start position and Finish position on the track. Associated with each track is an automatic brake system to stop the vehicle. Each track is composed of a plurality of separate guide rail sections which are located in a spaced apart arrangement with the separate guide rail sections being mounted in an in-line manner within the track. A guide blade is mounted on each vehicle and is to connect with each of these guide rail sections as the vehicle moves along the track.