Horizontal Thrust Only Patents (Class 104/247)
  • Patent number: 11679791
    Abstract: A dead axle of a rail vehicle, a rail vehicle, and a rail transportation system are provided. The dead axle of a rail vehicle includes: an axle body; a running wheel; a guiding frame; a horizontal wheel; and a connecting rod component, including a first transverse pull rod and a second transverse pull rod, where when the rail vehicle turns left, the horizontal wheel cooperates with a rail beam to drive the guiding frame to swing and drive the first transverse pull rod to move together, and the second transverse pull rod is driven by the first transverse pull rod to drive the running wheel to swing to the left, and when the rail vehicle turns right, the horizontal wheel cooperates with the rail beam to drive the guiding frame to swing and drive the first transverse pull rod to move together, and the second transverse pull rod is driven by the first transverse pull rod to drive the running wheel to swing to the right.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: BYD COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Qingzeng Hu, Xiaojin Yao, Xiaofang Xiong, Jia Wei, Huiyue Liu
  • Patent number: 11465700
    Abstract: An automated transportation system incorporating a special guideway featuring recessed control slots in the sidewalls on each side of the roadway surface and a vehicle which includes movable appendages designed to interact with the control slots to provide vehicle retention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Inventor: John P. Hanus
  • Patent number: 10625763
    Abstract: The assembled-type traveling carriage includes: the telescopic cylindrical body being an extendable telescopic cylindrical body rotatably provided with a first screw at each end thereof, and incorporating an actuator configured to extend and withdraw a nest; a joint block provided with a second screw; a traveler rotatably provided with the first screw and attached a driving device thereto; and a coupling rod rotatably provided with the first screw on each end thereof. A first planar frame body is assembled by screwing joint blocks to four of the telescopic cylindrical bodies, screwing the travelers to the joint blocks such that the travelers are positioned on extension lines of the telescopic cylindrical bodies, and coupling one ends of the four telescopic cylindrical bodies to one another by the coupling rods through the joint blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: ATSUMI REAL ESTATE & CORPORATION, INC.
    Inventor: Kazuya Atsumi
  • Patent number: 10315899
    Abstract: Method for transporting a container or pallet with cargo, wherein at least one transport device is used comprising a frame consisting of an elongate central member (11) and carrying beams (12), each carrying beam (12) extending perpendicular to the central member (11) in the same direction from a different end of the central member (11) thus forming a generally U-shaped frame, wherein in use said U-shaped frame extends in a generally horizontal orientation, said carrying beams being arranged to engage and carry a bottom part of a container or a pallet, wherein the bottom side of said frame is provided with a plurality of air bearings (13) arranged to lift said frame with said cargo from a flat floor surface, wherein a container or pallet to be transported is moved into or out of a vehicle at an transshipment location, wherein for transporting said container or pallet in or out of said vehicle said container or pallet is engaged and lifted by said at least one transport device by activating said air bearings (
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Aerofilm Systems B. V.
    Inventors: Arnold Jan Nicolaas Raymond M. Smit, Michael Ernst Cohen
  • Patent number: 9921493
    Abstract: A photolithography system includes a photo-mask storage, at least one photolithography machine and an overhead crane for transporting at least one photo-mask at least between the photo-mask storage and the photolithography machine. The overhead crane includes at least one main rail, a mask girder, a mask hoist and a mask holding device. The mask girder is coupled with the main rail and movable at least between a first position above the photo-mask storage and a second position above the photolithography machine. The mask hoist is movably coupled with the mask girder. The mask holding device is coupled with the mask hoist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chi-Feng Tung, Hsiang-Yin Shen, Mao-Lin Kao, Chih-Cheng Hsiao
  • Patent number: 9688514
    Abstract: A section of stairlift guide rail having two holes for attaching to another section of stairlift guide rail is described. The two holes are positioned symmetrically about a point along one edge of the section, wherein at least one of the two holes is further configured to have a bracket for mounting the section attached thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: ISLAND MOBILITY LTD
    Inventor: Robert George Horton
  • Patent number: 9353485
    Abstract: A vehicle pick-up and delivery device includes: two mainline tracks including a pair of first guide portions which guide a pair of first guide wheels provided on a vehicle on an outer side of each of the first guide wheels; a pick-up and delivery travel path on which the vehicle is capable of traveling and which is provided between the two mainline tracks and is configured to pick up and deliver the vehicle between the two mainline tracks; a second guide portion which is provided inside the pick-up and delivery travel path and guides a second guide wheel disposed below the vehicle; and a switching unit which is provided on the mainline tracks and is capable of switching a direction of the vehicle between a direction along the mainline tracks and a direction along the pick-up and delivery travel path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Mukai, Toshiaki Asanoma, Yoshinobu Murakami, Hiroyuki Maeyama, Akihiro Kubo, Kousuke Katahira
  • Patent number: 9302680
    Abstract: A transportation system includes a vehicle, a track having a traveling road surface on which the vehicle travels and guide parts which extend to both sides in a width direction of the traveling road surface. The track has a first section in which the vehicle is guided by the guide parts and travels on the track, and a second section in which the vehicle travels on the track by steering of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Maeyama, Toru Kanemori, Mitsuaki Hoshi, Takahiro Suzuki, Masahisa Masukawa, Toshiaki Asanoma, Kousuke Katahira
  • Patent number: 9139207
    Abstract: A modular, electrified monorail system upon which at least one motorized trolley assembly may be propelled along. The system may incorporate a plurality of rail assemblies adapted to be coupled adjacent to one another to form a generally continuous track. Each rail assembly may make use of an electrified track adapted to provide an electrical signal from an electrical power source to at least one electrical conductor extending coextensively along the electrified track. A controller may be mounted on the electrified track. The controller may be configured to selectively apply and remove the electrical power from the electrified track to control propulsion of the motorized trolley assembly along the electrified track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: FATA AUTOMATION, INC.
    Inventors: Ronald Jay Benish, Robert Joseph Walkerdine
  • Patent number: 9061690
    Abstract: A guide rail type vehicle of the present invention comprises a guide frame provided so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis perpendicular to the floor surface of a vehicle body; a plurality of guide wheels which forms gripping pairs aligned in the vehicle width direction so as to be able to grip a center guide rail, and which is arranged in the front-and-rear direction of the guide frame; equalizing links supporting two guide wheels, which are adjacent to each other in the front-and-rear direction, so as to be able to roll about a guide wheel shaft parallel to the rotation axis, and connecting the two guide wheels as a connected pair and being attached to the guide frame so as to be rotatable about a link shaft parallel to the rotation axis; and a steering link mechanism changing the steering angle of tires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Toru Kanemori, Hiromichi Yamamoto, Kousuke Katahira
  • Patent number: 8973507
    Abstract: The present invention provides a bogie for a guide rail type vehicle that runs along a predetermined guideway. The bogie includes a turn frame connected to a vehicle body; an axle turnably mounted to the turn frame via bearings and; a guide frame mounted to the axle; a first pair of guide wheels rotatably provided at a vehicle body end side portion of the guide frame; a second pair of guide wheels rotatably provided at a vehicle body center side portion of the guide frame; a stopper provided so as to project from an upper surface on a vehicle body side of the axle toward the vehicle body; and a pair of stopper receivers arranged facing each other at intervals from the stopper in a vehicle lateral direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroki Kurahashi, Nobuyuki Fujio, Hiroyuki Kono, Yukihide Yanobu, Akihisa Kawauchi, Kousuke Katahira
  • Patent number: 8783191
    Abstract: The invention provides a drive-in aid for a conveying device provided for transporting a vehicle to be treated in a transport direction through a vehicle treatment system, having a lane running in the transport direction for tires of the vehicle, a base plate movable transversely to the transport direction and two guide elements converging at least partially above the movable base plate in the transport direction, and a corresponding vehicle treatment system. The drive-in aid and vehicle treatment system allow the tires of the vehicle to be treated to be positioned without damage and centrally with respect to the desired lane of the conveying device. The drive-in aid is characterized in that the guide elements are movable to and fro between an approach position, in which they converge in the transport direction and extend into the lane and a drive-through position, in which they define the lane laterally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: WashTec Holding GmbH
    Inventor: Robert Auer
  • Publication number: 20130228093
    Abstract: The invention relates to a drive-in aid (5) for a conveying device (2) provided for transporting a vehicle to be treated in a transport direction (T) through a vehicle treatment system (1), having a lane (7) running in the transport direction (T) for tyres of the vehicle, a base plate (6) movable transversely to the transport direction (T) and two guide elements (8, 8?) converging at least partly above the movable base plate (6) in the transport direction (T), and a corresponding vehicle treatment system. The invention provides a drive-in aid and a vehicle treatment system which allow the tyres of the vehicle to be treated to be positioned without damage and centrally with respect to the desired lane of the conveying device and is characterised in that the guide elements (8, 8?) are movable to and fro between an approach position, in which they converge in the transport direction (T) and extend into the lane (7) and a drive-through position, in which they define the lane (7) laterally.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: WashTec Holding GmbH
    Inventor: Robert Auer
  • Patent number: 8448578
    Abstract: A guide-roller arrangement for gantry cranes (1) has two rotatably mounted axial carriers (21) on which the guide rollers are seated. The guide rollers (11, 12) are mounted on journals which are arranged in the carrier plate (15) in a manner eccentric to the axis of rotation (41) of the axial carrier (21). The selected eccentric position of the journal can be fixed in a formfitting manner with the aid of toothing formations (29, 36) on the axial carrier and on the carrier plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Konecranes PLC
    Inventor: Markus Golder
  • Patent number: 8381660
    Abstract: A track-guided vehicle wheel truck prevents wear and deterioration of a guide wheel and a guide rail, and ensures running stability while simplifying the structure. In the track-guided vehicle wheel truck, a guide frame 8 to which a guide wheel 9 guided by a guide rail 1 is mounted, can turn relative to a steering axle 6 of a running wheel 5. A support shaft 21 is provided on an axle bracket 20 provided in the steering axle 6 so as to be movable in the vehicle front and rear direction by straddling the steering axle 6. A link lever 22 capable of interlocking the turning of the guide frame 8 and the steering of the running wheel 5 is provided along the vehicle front and rear direction. A vehicle end-side end part of the link lever 22 is rotatably mounted to a connecting rod 19 that enables the steering of the running wheel 5. An intermediate part of the link lever 22 is rotatably mounted to the guide frame 8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroki Kurahashi, Nobuyuki Fujio, Hiroyuki Kono, Yukihide Yanobu, Akihisa Kawauchi, Kousuke Katahira
  • Patent number: 8356559
    Abstract: The present invention provides a bogie for a guide rail type vehicle running on a predetermined guideway. The bogie of the present invention includes an axle in which steerable running wheels are mounted, a guide frame arranged under the axle, a pair of first guide wheels provided rotatably in a vehicle body end-side part of the guide frame, a pair of second guide wheels provided rotatably in a vehicle body center-side part of the guide frame, a pair of tie rod arms that is attached to the axle and are formed so as to extend from the axle to the vehicle body center-side, and a pair of tie rods each connecting the guide frame to each of the pair of tie rod arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroki Kurahashi, Nobuyuki Fujio, Hiroyuki Kono, Yukihide Yanobu, Akihisa Kawauchi, Kousuke Katahira
  • Patent number: 8353248
    Abstract: In a track-guided vehicle wheel truck, a guide frame can be turned relative to a steering axle of a running wheel. A support shaft is adjustably provided on the guide frame. A receiving member is provided projecting toward the vehicle end side. A link lever capable of interlocking the turning of the guide frame and the steering of the running wheel, is provided along the vehicle front and rear direction. A center-side end part of the link lever is rotatably mounted to the receiving member. A vehicle end-side end part of the link lever is rotatably mounted to a connecting rod that enables the steering of the running wheel. A long hole extending in the vehicle front and rear direction, is provided in an intermediate part of the link lever. The long hole and the support shaft are rotatably engaged with each other at a given position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industires, Ltd
    Inventors: Hiroki Kurahashi, Nobuyuki Fujio, Hiroyuki Kono, Yukihide Yanobu, Akihisa Kawauchi, Kousuke Katahira
  • Publication number: 20120137922
    Abstract: The invention is an electric vehicle that gets electricity by two means. The vehicle powers its electric motor to travel roads by onboard batteries. For longer range the vehicle powers its electric motor while charging onboard batteries by tethering to a special rail system. The vehicle is equipped with two drive wheels to apply rotary torque against different surfaces. The vehicles' first drive wheel applies rotary torque against a road surface. The second drive wheel is above vehicles' roof line that mounts from a swing-arm, wheel applies rotary torque against special rail surface when vehicle is tethered. The rail is a system of tracks and transitions designed to suspend and guide vehicles above ground while providing electricity and a surface to accept vehicles' rotary torque for propulsion. The track has multiple conductor strips fed from multiple electrical branch circuits that balance and accepts loads from several vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Inventor: Roland Basil Bryant
  • Publication number: 20070251408
    Abstract: A system for moving a camera along a predefined path in space, the system comprising: a track (2), the track comprising at least one rail (10, 12); a dolly (4) adapted to ride on the track; and a rack and pinion drive mechanism (6) for driving the dolly along the track. The drive mechanism includes a rack (40) extending along the track and a driven pinion (60) mounted on the dolly, and the rack is positioned vertically inline with the at least one rail of the track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Publication date: November 1, 2007
    Applicant: A&C LTD.
    Inventors: Frank FLETCHER, David SHERWIN
  • Patent number: 6877440
    Abstract: A container for transporting bulk material including two side walls, two end walls, and a base; the side walls including a plurality of vertical reinforcing members spaced along the length of the side wall, wherein the side wall between at least one adjacent pair of the reinforcing members includes at least one internal ridge running therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Lynx Engineering Consultants Pty Ltd.
    Inventors: Kris Kilian, Vladimir Mazur
  • Patent number: 6601521
    Abstract: A traveling cleaner (12) for a textile manufacturing plant, the carriage of which has a carrying structure (18) supported on three running wheels (1, 2, 3). The running wheels (1, 2, 3) are suspended on wheel suspension units (20) and are arranged in a triangle in relation to one another, in such a way that the first running wheel (1) runs on a first rail (14) and the second running wheel (2) and the third running wheel (3) run one behind the other on a second rail (16). The rails (14, 16) form a runway (10) for the traveling cleaner (12) and are arranged next to one another above textile machines of the textile manufacturing plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Zellweger Luwa AG
    Inventors: Arnold Keller, Werner Zemp, Christian Dürig
  • Patent number: 6477963
    Abstract: A steering apparatus is provided for use on a transit vehicle (10) which includes separate steerable drive tires (45, 50) intended to follow the contour of a guide rail (20). An adjustable linkage (80) transmits the motion of a guide frame (65) following a guide rail (20) to the steerable drive tires (45, 50) and positions the linkage (80) to provide the proper slip angle to the steerable drive tires (45, 50).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Bombardier Transportaion GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Weule, Ralf Krause, Jeffrey J. Schwalm, Holger Strubelt, William Cooper
  • Patent number: 6477964
    Abstract: A guide system for a forklift includes a single guide rail extending along a path and rollers mounted on the forklift for engagement with opposite sides of the rail. The rollers can move down the rail as the wheels on the forklift become worn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Tygard Machine and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Edward Tygard
  • Patent number: 6418856
    Abstract: A passive steering assembly for a guided vehicle movable along a guideway includes a vehicle including at least one axle structure; a pivot joint at each end of the axle structure; a wheel mounting pivotably engaged with each pivot joint; a hub for rotatably mounting a wheel to each wheel mounting; a wheel connected to each hub for moving the vehicle; and a lateral guide device for controlling the lateral position of the axle structure for steering the wheels to follow the path of the guideway and to a passive steering system including a plurality of such assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Robin Hossfield, John Puhlhorn, David C. Collins, Marvin Fredburg
  • Patent number: 6237504
    Abstract: A guideway transit system which can reduce a scale of an infrastructure while maintaining ride comfort for passengers of a vehicle is provided. The guideway transit system includes a noncontact vehicle guiding system and a contact vehicle guiding system. The noncontact vehicle guiding system detects information relating to a lateral position of a vehicle on a road and steers the vehicle to move along a predetermined path on the road based on the detected information. The contact vehicle guiding system which restricts a lateral position of the vehicle by a contact between a guide wheel which laterally projects from the vehicle and a guide wall provided on a side of the road. The guideway transit system further includes a controller which prohibits steering of the vehicle by the noncontact vehicle guiding system when a lateral position of the vehicle is restricted by the contact vehicle guiding system. An automated vehicle which is used in the guideway transit system is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshio Tanahashi, Norihiko Nakamura, Keiji Aoki, Hiromitsu Kimpara
  • Patent number: 6161484
    Abstract: The installation comprises a roadway having at least some segments provided with longitudinal reference marking (10) for a nominal path, and vehicles (18) each carrying an assembly providing guidance by controlling a steering axle, having a module for forming an image of the road ahead of the vehicle (18) and for processing the image of the marking, and an optical guidance module calculating the orientation to be given to the wheels of the steering axle to follow the nominal path, and a steering servo-motor controlled by the guidance module. At at least certain segments of the road carry lateral guides (14, 16) and the vehicles, whose front axles at least are steering axles, are provided on each axle with vertical-axis guide wheels (24) designed to press against the guides (14, 16) in the event of the vehicle departing excessively from a nominal path on the road.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignees: Matra Transport International, Matra Systemes et Information
    Inventors: Daniel Ferbeck, Michel Rebuffet
  • Patent number: 6155176
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Inventor: Stanley J. Checketts
  • Patent number: 5575217
    Abstract: The wheel set comprises a pair of load-carrying wheels that run on a track, and that are steerable about parallel axes on a fixed portion, together with two pairs of guide wheels for bearing laterally against the track. The pairs of guide wheels are situated on either side of the load-carrying wheels, and they are carried by the same guide frame which is displaceable relative to the fixed portion only in rotation about a vertical axis. The guide frame is connected to the load-carrying wheels by a forced steering linkage for the load-carrying wheels. The fixed portion is constituted by a transverse box girder placed above the guide frame and provided with steering pivots for the load-carrying wheels, which pivots are placed beneath suspension cushions for the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Assignees: Matra Transport, Vevey Technologies
    Inventor: Bruno Vincent-Genod
  • Patent number: 5481984
    Abstract: According to this invention, wheels are pivotally supported by a fork arm comprising a lever-type supporting component, an expandable lifting actuator having damper serially arranged to buffer and support thereof at other end end of arm of said supporting component. With this structure, a complete retraction of wheels can be achieved. Hence the supporting component can be used both as the supporting leg apparatus to vertically support the magnetically levitated vehicle and the guide leg apparatus to mechanically guide the vehicle along the guideway side wall. It is, therefore, characterized with the simple structure, light weight, small storage space, and easy to perform maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1996
    Assignees: Railway Technical Research Institute, Sumitomo Precision Products Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Oda, Hideyuki Takizawa, Masamichi Yamada, Fumio Iwamoto, Shoji Iwai
  • Patent number: 5410969
    Abstract: The invention relates to a steering device for a vehicle bogey fitted with wheels having pneumatic tires that run on a pair of runways forming a track along which the vehicle travels. The device comprises a steering caster whose mean plane is parallel or substantially parallel to that of the wheels of the bogey and which is capable of rotating about its own axis when engaging in a guide groove installed between the above-mentioned runways of the track ahead of each branch point. The caster is carried by the frame of the bogey via laminated link blocks that confer to the caster and relative to the bogey a small amplitude degree of freedom in rotation about a vertical axis passing through the center of the caster, and a similarly small amplitude degree of freedom in translation along the axis of the caster, but prevent the caster from moving relative to the bogey in the vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Assignee: Techlam
    Inventors: Rene Senes, Sylvain Thuet
  • Patent number: 5397211
    Abstract: A storage and retrieval machine comprising a generally horizontal rail including a rail member, a base, a linear slide supporting the base for movement along the rail member, a generally vertical mast supported by the base, a carriage supported for generally vertical movement along the mast, and an extendable and retractable shuttle mechanism supported by the carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1995
    Assignee: Harnischfeger Engineers, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt M. Lloyd, LaMar A. Jones
  • Patent number: 5365856
    Abstract: A coil transportation system includes air cushion vehicles guided for traveling along a travel path comprising straight lines and curves. Each vehicle comprises mechanical side guides at its longitudinal right and left hand sides. The side guides are actuatable alternatively from the right and left hand sides. The side guides are arranged for associating with floor mounted routing guides, for guiding the air cushion vehicles along a travel path and transversely to the travel path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1994
    Assignee: SMS Schloemann-Siemag Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Withold Richert, Martin Pfannschmidt, Johan Aelter
  • Patent number: 5325788
    Abstract: A safety trolley restraint system for easy attachment to the rail of a railroad track crossing a bridge includes a trolley carriage with opposed rollers clampable to the rail so as to hold the trolley on the rail while permitting rolling movement of the trolley on the rail and provides a movable attachment point for the end of a safety line of a personnel safety harness. The carriage includes two halves pivoted together which may be opened to remove the trolley from the rail and closed and locked to secure the trolley to the rail. The trolley restraint attachment point is preferably swingable from side to side with respect to the rail and includes a swiveling mounted attachment eye for the personnel safety line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Assignee: Smmart Equipment Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Strickland, Kevin R. MacDonald
  • Patent number: 5215016
    Abstract: A rail type underwater travel vehicle includes a passenger observation room, an engine room housing drive apparatus and a flotation adjustment tank chamber. The vehicle can travel freely from land into water by means of drive tires that are rotated by the drive apparatus, the drive tires riding on a pair of travel guides extending from the land into the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1993
    Assignee: Koyo Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Futami
  • Patent number: 5174219
    Abstract: The bogie (1) features a pair of running wheels (3, 3') running on bearings fastened to a rocking frame (4). The rocking frame is hinged on one side to the bogie and connected on the other side over spring devices (5, 5') with the frame. Hereby the running wheels are located inside a slewing ring resting on the frame. Guide wheels (11, 11' and 12, 12' respectively), each running on bearings attached to a transverse link (13), are provided for lateral guidance along the track. The spring-loaded transverse links swivel horizontally and are hinged to a guide body (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Assignee: Mathias Streiff AG
    Inventor: Mathias Streiff
  • Patent number: 5161668
    Abstract: A guide mechanism for a passenger conveyor which includes a series of passenger platforms supported on and movable along a frame which has a support track for support rollers mounted on the platforms. The guide mechanism includes a monotrack guide rail, and a pair of horizontal pinch rollers supported by each passenger platform. The pinch rollers are in engagement with opposite sides of the monotrack guide rail. One of the pinch rollers is of a lower compression stiffness than the other pinch roller. The guide mechanism is coupled to a walking beam assembly wherein a pair of support rollers are mounted at opposite ends of a beam extending in the direction of movement of the conveyor, and the guide rail mechanism is coupled to the beam between the pair of support rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1992
    Assignee: Montgomery Electric Company
    Inventors: Douglas N. Datema, Thomas R. Nurnberg, Richard D. Rohret
  • Patent number: 5115746
    Abstract: A transverse guide roller for track-guidable buses effectively prevents the access water to the rotational bearing of such rollers housed rotatably in a horizontal plane. To this end, the rotational bearing is accommodated in a bearing bell which covers the rolling bearing arrangement in a protective and sealing manner. The wheel body has essentially the shape of a cup with an upwardly pointing opening and with a bearing journal projecting from the cup bottom. The rolling bearing is fixed on the bearing journal with the inner ring as a rotating rolling bearing ring. The cup bottom has, at its lowest point, several discharge orifices for the unhindered discharge of water which may have penetrated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1992
    Assignee: Daimler-Benz AG
    Inventor: Diether V. Scarpatetti
  • Patent number: 4969400
    Abstract: A tire path, guidebeam, electric rail configuration for a guideway in a people mover system comprises a roadway structure having a pair of spaced tire paths forming a vehicle running surface. A guidebeam is disposed along a centerline between the tire paths to provide generally vertical guidance surfaces above the tire running surface for generally horizontal guidewheels on the vehicles. First and second electric rail units are substantially identically structure and extend along the roadway structure between the tire paths to provide conductive surfaces above the tire running surface for electric collection by brush assemblies on the vehicles. Together, the electric rail units have a predetermined number of electric rails to provide power and signal circuits for the vehicles. The first and second electric rail units are supported on opposite sides of the tire path centerline and at substantially equal distances from the centerline to enable turnaround vehicle operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1990
    Assignee: AEG Westinghouse Transportation Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Burg, William K. Cooper, John W. Kapala
  • Patent number: 4936225
    Abstract: The invention relates to a track-guidable omnibus, each of the lockable vehicle wheels of which is preceded by an associated transverse guide roller arranged near the ground, which is mounted in a rigid position relative to the wheel plane of the vehicle wheel by a bracket arm. An easily exchangeable change part, which contains a preferred breaking point, is interposed between the transverse guide roller and the end of the bracket arm in the end region of the bracket arm. This is intended to prevent secondary damage to the steering in the case of ground collisions. In order to prevent "derailment" from the track in case of a roller breakage during track-guided service of the vehicle, an emergency contact surface, which temporarily and provisionally assumes the function of the transverse guide roller when the latter is broken off, is provided protected between the transverse guide roller and the vehicle wheel. The emergency contact surface may be formed by a small skid or by a small emergency roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1990
    Assignee: Daimler-Benz AG
    Inventors: Helmut Wulf, Siegbert Sawatzky
  • Patent number: 4886285
    Abstract: Underneath a load, on both sides, there are several transporter frames with transporter blocks for wheels. The wheels travel on tracks or rails, on which they are guided with wheel flanges or guide rollers. Each transporter frame has a vertical, U-shaped transporter frame foot, with a pivot shaft for the transporter block, which on the side opposite the pivot shaft has a support plate for the rounded head of a piston of a hydraulic cylinder. Each hydraulic cylinder is supported with its rounded head in a support bearing under the transporter frame. All the hydraulic cylinders of a series are connected by a connecting line and a check valve with a pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1989
    Assignee: Mannesmann Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rainer Horbach, Hermann Osthoff
  • Patent number: 4869176
    Abstract: The invention relates to an omnibus track guidable vehicle for special roads which vehicle can also travel with free manual steering on normal roads. To make the trailing axle roll along the special road, which defines the track, with correct tracking and without contact, the trailing vehicle axle is provided with an elastokinematic self-steering system. Articulation of the axle body of this vehicle axle in the transverse direction is in fact made so that the axle body is transversely slidable out of the central position by approximately .+-.0.8 to 1.2% of the vehicle width with increasing force, limited as a function of the transverse force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1989
    Assignee: Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Diether von Scarpatetti
  • Patent number: 4836111
    Abstract: A system for moving a robot manipulator being mounted on a carriage over a track system which includes a pair of rail carriers for rails and being interconnected to extend parallel to each other in spaced apart relationship; a carrier carriage runs on these rails with unequally large rollers and the manipulator carriage runs on a rail on the carrier carriage; all of the rails are mounted by means of a plurality of nonstraightness compensating support bars being adjustably bolted to the rail carriers, at least two per carrier, as well as on the carrier carriage and in aligned relationship as to each carrier to establish straight rail mounting facilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1989
    Assignee: Mannesmann AG
    Inventor: Karl-Ernst Kaufmann
  • Patent number: 4825772
    Abstract: A pouring tank assembly and transfer tracks are provided whereby a transfer car holding a pouring tank filled with molten metal can be rolled from a loading station to a pouring station. The transfer tracks are of a double rail configuration, with two tracks forming an angle whose vertex is at the pouring station. A third guide rail parallels each set of tracks. The transfer car is equipped with flangeless wheels which roll along the transfer tracks, and has a support arm from which guide rollers extend. Such guide rollers contact the guide rail to provide lateral stability for the transfer car.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1989
    Assignee: AMSTED Industries Incorporated
    Inventor: Lyman W. Jeffreys
  • Patent number: 4823704
    Abstract: A conveying system having a cart traveling on a rail. A rail cover strut is disposed along the rail and a rail cover is attached to the rail cover strut. A wheel or wheels of the cart are mounted on a bracket extending to pass under the lower end of the rail cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1989
    Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeyoshi Fujita, Tomoyuki Sasaki, Kazuyoshi Fukuhara, Hiroshi Nishikawa
  • Patent number: 4805537
    Abstract: A pair of truck vehicles are manually moveable along the top and side edge running surfaces of parallel joist members of a factory roof a-building. Each truck runs on a separate joist and each has wheels running on the top surface of the joist with horizontal axles journaled to the truck chassis and has pairs of guide wheels with verticle axles journaled to the chassis and running on top side edge of the joist. The trucks carry between them bundles of corrugated sheet steel roof decking for manually and sequentially fitting to the roof of the factory from the trucks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1989
    Inventor: Romeo Desroches
  • Patent number: 4791872
    Abstract: A vehicle for use in a track system of the type having a rotating drive shaft extending along and parallel to an elongated track has a drive wheel mounted to extend from the side of the vehicle for driving contact with the rotating drive shaft. The vehicle has a speed control means actuated by control members extending from both the front and the rear of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1988
    Assignee: PSi
    Inventor: Terrance E. McGinn
  • Patent number: 4777887
    Abstract: A roller holder for a track steered vehicle consists of functional elements which are detachably joined together, that is to say a head part with a roller height adjustment means, a center part with an annular preferential point of weakness cross section and a connecting part with an arresting means. With its connecting part the roller holder runs on a follower arm for adjustment to track width and the holder is able to be slid along the arm and able to be fixed at any desired position by means of the arresting means within the range of sliding. Furthermore, there is a safety strap in the roller holder which prevents loss of the roller holder if it should break off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1988
    Assignee: MAN Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventor: Hubert Thudt
  • Patent number: 4718350
    Abstract: A driverless vehicle is provided with support wheels on one side and drive wheels on the opposite side. The drive wheels perform the dual function of supporting one side of the body and propelling the vehicle by frictional contact with a drive shaft. The drive wheels are coupled together for oscillation about a vertical axis and are biased to a drive position. The vehicle body is provided with a cam for causing accumulation upon contact with another vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1988
    Assignee: SI Handling Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles E. Jacoby, Per E. Lindqvist
  • Patent number: 4658731
    Abstract: An apparatus for transporting goods to and from shelves has a carriage supported frame travelling on inverted T-rails secured to the floor. A vertically extending guide member rides in an overhead U-rail, vertically aligned with the T-rails. The carriage has at least one swivelling axle with wheels travelling on the rails and at least one carriage guiding device with guide rollers guided by an upwardly extending central web of the inverted T-rails except in rail junctions where the central web is omitted. In the rail junctions, guide rails with a U-cross-section take over the guiding of at least one of the guide rollers of each carriage until the central web of the inverted T-rail in the branching rail section takes over the guiding again. Thus, the carriage may be guided selectively into any branching rail section without using railroad type switches nor transfer bridges in the rail system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1987
    Inventor: Horst G. Schumann
  • Patent number: 4638741
    Abstract: A roller attachment to facilitate precise running of an article along a guide line in automation processes when it is fixed to the article, having an angular frame which is formed by layering punched angular thin members in the longitudinal direction of frame, and which is provided with peripheral recesses including rollers in a way to rotate freely in the longitudinal direction of frame in relation to the frame, the frame being attachable to the article with bolts either through hollow rivets uniting the angular thin members together or through elongated bolt holes in bracket members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1987
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Tsuboi