Patent US5449053A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US3611945A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3611945A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicles for travelling along a prepared track and method of use
Assignee: Tracked Hovercraft Ltd
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Filing: 1969-04-04
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Granted: 1971-10-12
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Expires: 1989-04-04
Abstract
Abstract A tracked air cushion vehicle has a detachable passenger compartment. The compartment can carry extendable wheels which will engage an auxiliary track diverging from the vehicle track. If the wheels are extended and means securing the compartment to the vehicle are released, the compartment will automatically become detached and will travel along the auxiliary track as the vehicle continues along the vehicle track. In one use, passengers are conveyed directly from a city center terminal to the desired pier at an airport without leaving the compartment.
Inventors
- 👤 Geoffrey John Easton
- 👤 Michael Anthony Stockford
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 04:53
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60V; B60V3/00; B60V3/02; B60V3/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
319 words
In combination, a vehicle, a main track of uniform width along which the vehicle is adapted to operate, and at least one compartment for carrying load releasably attachable to the vehicle so as to be supported and guided thereby along the main track, said main track extending continuously in both directions past at least one separation point at which The compartment may be separated from the vehicle and transported independently to a location spaced from the main track, said compartment having compartment support means extending therefrom in a transverse direction, and the main track having, in the same direction of vehicle travel, a first substantially horizontal track portion succeeded, in turn, by a downwardly inclined track portion, a second substantially horizontal track portion and an upwardly inclined track portion, the combination further including a first compartment support auxiliary track having at least one first support surface extending in a generally horizontal plane adjacent and parallel to the first substantially horizontal track portion and above the downwardly inclined track portion, and a second compartment support auxiliary track having at least one second support surface extending in a generally horizontal plane above the upwardly inclined track portion adjacent and parallel to the second substantially horizontal track portion, the disposition of the first support surface relative to the first substantially horizontal track portion being such that engagement of the respective compartment support means with the first support surface occurs to separate a compartment from the vehicle when the vehicle, having passed along the first substantially horizontal track portion while carrying the compartment, thereafter travels down the downwardly inclined track portion, and the disposition of the second support surface relative to the second substantially horizontal track portion being the same as the disposition of the first support surface relative to the first substantially horizontal track portion, whereby a compartment may be joined to the vehicle, when unloaded, at the upwardly inclined track portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
319 words
In combination, a vehicle, a main track of uniform width along which the vehicle is adapted to operate, and at least one compartment for carrying load releasably attachable to the vehicle so as to be supported and guided thereby along the main track, said main track extending continuously in both directions past at least one separation point at which The compartment may be separated from the vehicle and transported independently to a location spaced from the main track, said compartment having compartment support means extending therefrom in a transverse direction, and the main track having, in the same direction of vehicle travel, a first substantially horizontal track portion succeeded, in turn, by a downwardly inclined track portion, a second substantially horizontal track portion and an upwardly inclined track portion, the combination further including a first compartment support auxiliary track having at least one first support surface extending in a generally horizontal plane adjacent and parallel to the first substantially horizontal track portion and above the downwardly inclined track portion, and a second compartment support auxiliary track having at least one second support surface extending in a generally horizontal plane above the upwardly inclined track portion adjacent and parallel to the second substantially horizontal track portion, the disposition of the first support surface relative to the first substantially horizontal track portion being such that engagement of the respective compartment support means with the first support surface occurs to separate a compartment from the vehicle when the vehicle, having passed along the first substantially horizontal track portion while carrying the compartment, thereafter travels down the downwardly inclined track portion, and the disposition of the second support surface relative to the second substantially horizontal track portion being the same as the disposition of the first support surface relative to the first substantially horizontal track portion, whereby a compartment may be joined to the vehicle, when unloaded, at the upwardly inclined track portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
138 words
The combination according to claim 1, wherein the main track includes, in the same direction of vehicle travel, a plurality of said downwardly inclined track portions alternate with a plurality of said upwardly inclined track portions, the downwardly inclined track portions being preceded by respective first substantially horizontal track portions and having associated therewith respective first compartment support tracks, and the upwardly inclined track portions being preceded by respective second substantially horizontal track portions and having associated therewith respective second compartment support tracks, each compartment having means for extending and retracting its compartment support means whereby a compartment may be separated from the vehicle at a selected one of the downwardly inclined track portions and, with the vehicle traveling the same direction, a further compartment may be joined to the vehicle at a succeeding upwardly inclined track portion.
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) | 1974-10-11 | 1975-04-12 | 1975-10-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-10-11 | 1979-04-12 | 1979-10-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-10-11 | 1983-04-12 | 1983-10-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |