US3580184A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Transportation systems
Assignee: L AEROTRAINS SOC D
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Filing: 1969-05-04
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Granted: 1971-05-25
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Expires: 1989-05-04
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to improvements in transportation systems and in particular passenger transportation systems of the kind in which the payload carrier is borne by a conveyor arrangement, the improvements comprising means for automatically or manually engaging said payload carriers with, and disengaging them from, the conveyor means by the use of ground-effect arrangements in association with special track formations.
Inventors
- 👤 Francois Louis Giraud
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 16:30
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60V; B60V3/00; B60V3/02; B60V3/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
A transportation system comprising: mechanical conveyor means having a longitudinally extending and movable load-bearing strip, prepared track means having a load-bearing surface extending alongside said load-bearing strip, a movable body having two portions spaced from each other, a first portion being positioned adjacent said load-bearing strip and a second portion being positioned adjacent said loadbearing surface, said first portion normally resting on said load-bearing strip whereby said body engages the same and is driven by said conveyor means, while said second portion moves clear of and opposite to said load-bearing surface, and controllable ground-effect-producing means for selectively interrelating fluidically said second body portion and said load-bearing surface to lift said first body portion of said load-bearing strip whereby said body is disengaged from said conveyor means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
A transportation system comprising: mechanical conveyor means having a longitudinally extending and movable load-bearing strip, prepared track means having a load-bearing surface extending alongside said load-bearing strip, a movable body having two portions spaced from each other, a first portion being positioned adjacent said load-bearing strip and a second portion being positioned adjacent said loadbearing surface, said first portion normally resting on said load-bearing strip whereby said body engages the same and is driven by said conveyor means, while said second portion moves clear of and opposite to said load-bearing surface, and controllable ground-effect-producing means for selectively interrelating fluidically said second body portion and said load-bearing surface to lift said first body portion of said load-bearing strip whereby said body is disengaged from said conveyor means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said controllable means comprise a source of pressure fluid; fluid transfer means ending by discharge orifices carried by said track means, said transfer means being connected to said source; means to controllably obturate said transfer means; and control means for said obturating means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
A system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said control means comprise a lever carried by said movable body and a linkage carried by the prepared track means, said linkage being designed to cooperate with said lever.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said control means comprise cushion pressure-sensing means causing said controllable obturating means to open said transfer means with the progressive movement of the body over the prepared track means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the discharge orifices of at least a part of the fluid-transfer means are directed substantially normally to said bearing surface of the prepared track means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system claimed in claim 2, wherein the discharge orifices of at least a part of the fluid-transfer means are directed aslant in relation to said bearing surface of the prepared track means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the prepared track means has an inclined transverse profile extending part of the length of said track means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system as claimed in claim 7, further comprising means for varying the inclination of said transverse profile.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the prepared track means comprises a series of contiguous elementary sections conneCted together in sealed and articulated fashion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
134 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the prepared track means comprise an enclosure bounded by least a first wall carrying said bearing surface, a second wall spaced from said first wall, and lateral wall means linking together said first wall and said second wall; said first wall being hingedly secured at one of its edges about an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the track means; a source of pressure fluid communicating with said enclosure; fluid transfer means extending through said first wall and ending by discharge orifices on the bearing surface of the track means; means to controllably obturate said fluid transfer means; and control means for said obturating means, whereby said first wall assumes two different angular positions depending upon whether said transfer means are closed or open.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the movable body is situated below the conveyor means, said system comprising a device for suspending said body from the conveyor means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
56 words
A system a claimed in claim 11, in which the suspension device comprises an arm the bottom part of which is secured to the movable body and the top part of which overhangs the conveyor means; and a supporting element carried by the top part of the arm and designed to rest on the conveyor means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system as claimed in claim 12, further comprising elastic return means extending between said arm and said supporting element.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the movable body is situated above the conveyor means, said system further comprising runners though which the body rests upon the conveyor means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the conveyor means comprises two parallel conveyors carried by the prepared track means; and wherein the bearing surface of said track means extends between said two conveyors.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
46 words
A system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising wall means for laterally confining a fluid interrelating space, and means for retracting the free edge of said wall means from the bearing surface of the track means, outside the periods of operation of the fluid space.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
123 words
A transportation system comprising at least a first and a second mechanical conveyor means located in succession and at an angle to one another, separated from one another by an angular transitional zone; a movable body or like vehicle driven successively by the first and the second conveyor means; prepared track means occupying the angular transitional zone defined between said two conveyor means, said prepared track means having a bearing surface; said movable body-carrying plenum-chamber-bounding means having a free end adjacent said bearing surface and designed to bound a pressure fluid cushion formed against said surface; and controllable means to supply said plenum chamber with pressure fluid, whereby the movable body is lifted by said fluid cushion in the said angular transitional zone.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
123 words
A transportation system comprising at least a first and a second mechanical conveyor means located in succession and at an angle to one another, separated from one another by an angular transitional zone; a movable body or like vehicle driven successively by the first and the second conveyor means; prepared track means occupying the angular transitional zone defined between said two conveyor means, said prepared track means having a bearing surface; said movable body-carrying plenum-chamber-bounding means having a free end adjacent said bearing surface and designed to bound a pressure fluid cushion formed against said surface; and controllable means to supply said plenum chamber with pressure fluid, whereby the movable body is lifted by said fluid cushion in the said angular transitional zone.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-05-24 | 1974-11-23 | 1975-05-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-05-24 | 1978-11-23 | 1979-05-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-05-24 | 1982-11-23 | 1983-05-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |