US3590743A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mass transit system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-03-26
•
Granted: 1971-07-06
•
Expires: 1989-03-26
Abstract
Abstract A transportation system is disclosed having a plurality of support columns spatially disposed from each other and anchored to a supporting medium with a plurality of first transverse members, each of which is secured to one of a plurality of support columns and with a plurality of second transverse members secured to certain of the support columns adjacent each other defining a smooth vertical curve varying from the first transverse members and further including a first and second pair of rails adapted to support a load-bearing vehicle secured to the first and second transverse members respectively, and wherein the load-bearing vehicle has an upper and lower set of retractable wheels adapted to cooperatively engage the first and second pair of rails in operable relationship without switching any of the rails to facilitate changing the path of movement of the vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 Roy J Larson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 20:31
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G35/00; B65G35/06; B61; B61B; B61B3/00; B61B3/02; B65G47/00; B65G47/34; B65G47/46; B65G47/48; B65G47/49; B65G47/493; E; E01; E01B; E01B25/00; E01B25/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
269 words
A transportation system comprising: a. a plurality of support columns spatially disposed from each other and anchored to a supporting medium, said plurality of support columns defining a smooth line relationship; b. a plurality of first transverse members, each of which is vertically disposed above said supporting medium and secured to one of said plurality of support columns defining a substantially straight line; c. a plurality of second transverse members vertically disposed from said first transverse members a predetermined vertical distance, each of which is secured to certain of said support columns adjacent each other; d. a first pair of rails forming a primary track adapted to support a load-bearing vehicle and being secured in transverse parallel relationship to said plurality of first transverse members; e. a second pair of rails adapted to support a load-bearing vehicle forming a secondary track defining a smooth vertical curve varying from said first transverse members forming a substantially straight line and being secured in transverse parallel relationship to said plurality of second transverse members and disposed in the same plane having a vertical component as said first pair of rails; f. a vehicle including an upper and lower set of driving and guiding wheels, said wheels adapted to cooperatively engage said first and second pair of rails and rotate with respect thereto; and g. wheel actuating mechanisms operably connected to said vehicle and said upper and lower set of driving and guiding wheels causing substantially alternate and simultaneous selective engaging and disengaging of said first and second pair of rails in operable relationship facilitating entering and leaving said primary and secondary tracks.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
269 words
A transportation system comprising: a. a plurality of support columns spatially disposed from each other and anchored to a supporting medium, said plurality of support columns defining a smooth line relationship; b. a plurality of first transverse members, each of which is vertically disposed above said supporting medium and secured to one of said plurality of support columns defining a substantially straight line; c. a plurality of second transverse members vertically disposed from said first transverse members a predetermined vertical distance, each of which is secured to certain of said support columns adjacent each other; d. a first pair of rails forming a primary track adapted to support a load-bearing vehicle and being secured in transverse parallel relationship to said plurality of first transverse members; e. a second pair of rails adapted to support a load-bearing vehicle forming a secondary track defining a smooth vertical curve varying from said first transverse members forming a substantially straight line and being secured in transverse parallel relationship to said plurality of second transverse members and disposed in the same plane having a vertical component as said first pair of rails; f. a vehicle including an upper and lower set of driving and guiding wheels, said wheels adapted to cooperatively engage said first and second pair of rails and rotate with respect thereto; and g. wheel actuating mechanisms operably connected to said vehicle and said upper and lower set of driving and guiding wheels causing substantially alternate and simultaneous selective engaging and disengaging of said first and second pair of rails in operable relationship facilitating entering and leaving said primary and secondary tracks.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The vehicle of claim 1 including: h. a releasable capsule carried by said vehicle, said capsule being adapted to move laterally with respect to said vehicle for engagement and disengagement therewith.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
115 words
The structure of claim 2 including: i. code means identifying the rail location at which said upper and lower set of driving and guiding wheels are to be actuated, said code means being secured to said first and second pair of rails in predetermined relationship to said vehicles; j. code sensing means sensing the code of said code means and producing output signals in accordance therewith, said sensing means being secured to said vehicle to pass in spaced and confronting relationship with said code means; k. and control apparatus responsive to said output signals from said code sensing means for controlling the movements of said vehicle. 4 The structure set to, in claim 3 including;
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
62 words
The structure of claim 4 including: m. a locking mechanism controlled by said control apparatus having a first part thereof secured to said vehicle and a second part thereof secured to said capsule, said first and second parts operably engaging the disengaging each other in cooperation with said capsule drive means facilitating locking and unlocking said capsule with respect to said vehicle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The structure of claim 5 including: n. brake apparatus operably connected to said control apparatus and said upper and lower set of driving and guiding wheels controlling the braking movements of said vehicle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
The structure of claim 3 including: o. a speed sensing apparatus connected to said upper and lower set of driving and guiding wheels and producing output signals in accordance therewith, said speed sensing means having its output connected to said control apparatus.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The structure set forth in claim 5 including: p. time delay means electrically connected to said control apparatus and said capsule drive means causing energization of said capsule drive means after said locking mechanism is disengaged.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
56 words
The transportation system as set forth in claim 1 including: q. a storage track disposed adjacent said secondary track for storing said vehicle when not in use; r. a vehicle diverting mechanism operably connected to said secondary and storage tracks in vertical transporting relationship, said diverting mechanism moving said vehicle between said secondary and storage tracks.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
The wheel actuating mechanisms of claim 1 including: s. extendable means secured to said vehicle causing lateral movement of said upper and lower set of driving and guiding wheels facilitating engagement and disengagement of said first and second pair of rails.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
The structure as set forth in claim 3 including: t. electrical conductors secured to said first and second pair of rails carrying power and communications; u. electrical brushes secured to said vehicle communicating with said electrical conductors and connected to said control apparatus.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
46 words
The structure as set forth in claim 11 wherein said first and second pair of rails include being formed in a C-shaped cross section and being disposed with the open portions facing each other, said electrical conductoRs being disposed in the upper portions of said rails.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
88 words
The structure as set forth in claim 12 including: v. a grade adjusting mechanism formed in two parts, the first of which is secured to the lower portion of said first and second pair of rails, and the second of which is secured in confronting relationship to said first part and contains a running surface for said upper and lower set of driving and guiding wheels, said grade adjusting mechanism changing the angle of said running surfaces with respect to said first and second plurality of transverse members.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The vehicle diverting mechanism set forth in claim 9 including: v. a turntable mechanism adapted to operably engage the vehicle and facilitate a rotational movement thereof.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
56 words
The second pair of rails forming a secondary track set forth in claim 1 including: w. a first pair of rail sections inclined upwardly and secured to the ends of said second pair of rails; x. a second pair of rail sections inclined downwardly and secured intermediate and adjacent to said first pair of rail sections.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3051096A
Cited
US3254608A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-05 | 1975-01-04 | 1975-07-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-05 | 1979-01-04 | 1979-07-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-05 | 1983-01-04 | 1983-07-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |