US3659529A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Improved transportation system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-09-29
•
Granted: 1972-05-02
•
Expires: 1989-09-29
Abstract
Abstract The disclosure is of a transportation system which includes an elongated guidebeam having three spaced apart running surfaces. Two of the running surfaces are substantially vertical to accommodate wheels rotating about vertical axes and the third running surface is substantially horizontal to accommodate wheels rotating on horizontal axes. Wheels which rotate on a vertical axis and wheels which rotate on a horizontal axis are connected to a rack which is adapted to move along the running surfaces of the guide-beam. The wheels connect the rack on the side of the guidebeam in cantilever fashion. Connecting switch sections are provided at desired locations on the elongated guidebeam to connect two or more guidebeams. The switch sections have no moving parts and cooperate with movable means, such as extendable and retractable wheels, of the rack to provide for selective high speed switching both in horizontal and vertical modes of a rack between an upline guidebeam and one or more spaced apart downline guidebeams and between two or more spaced apart upline guidebeams and a single downline guidegeam.
Inventors
- 👤 Justin M Jacobs Jr
- 👤 Neil S Stafford
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 14:50
CPC Classifications
B; B61; B61B; B61B13/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 51
Claim 1
Independent Claim
344 words
A transportation system having non-moving connecting switch sections comprising a main guidebeam, a first spaced apart guidebeam, a second spaced apart guidebeam, all of said guidebeams having an inwardly facing vertical upper guide running surface, an outwardly facing vertical lower guide running surface and a substantially horizontal support running surface formed thereon, a connecting guidebeam switch section extending between said main guidebeam and each of said spaced apart guidebeams, first non-moving connecting running surfaces on said switch section between said main guidebeam and said first spaced apart guidebeam, said first running surfaces comprising an inwardly facing vertical upper guide running surface, an outwardly facing vertical lower guide running surface and a substantially horizontal support running surface, each of said first running surfaces being connected between the counterpart running surfaces of said main guidebeam and said first spaced apart guidebeam, second non-moving connecting running surfaces on said connecting switch section between said main guidebeam and said second spaced apart guidebeam, said second running surfaces comprising an inwardly facing vertical upper guide running surface, an outwardly facing vertical lower guide running surface and a substantially horizontal support running surface, each of said second running surfaces being connected between the counterpart running surface of said main guidebeam and said second spaced apart guidebeam, at least one gap in said first or said second guide running surface for passing a portion of the aftersaid rack, a rack for cantilevering on a guidebeam having wheels for use in moving on the running surfaces of said guidebeams, said wheels including a support wheel for running on said support surface, and upper and lower guide wheels for running on said upper and lower guide surfaces, at least one of said upper or lower guide wheels being dual vertically spaced apart wheels for bridging the gap in either said first or second guide running surface, and movable means on said rack for selectively moving on one of said connecting running surfaces to selectively move said rack through said switch section between said main guidebeam and one of the said spaced apart guidebeams.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
344 words
A transportation system having non-moving connecting switch sections comprising a main guidebeam, a first spaced apart guidebeam, a second spaced apart guidebeam, all of said guidebeams having an inwardly facing vertical upper guide running surface, an outwardly facing vertical lower guide running surface and a substantially horizontal support running surface formed thereon, a connecting guidebeam switch section extending between said main guidebeam and each of said spaced apart guidebeams, first non-moving connecting running surfaces on said switch section between said main guidebeam and said first spaced apart guidebeam, said first running surfaces comprising an inwardly facing vertical upper guide running surface, an outwardly facing vertical lower guide running surface and a substantially horizontal support running surface, each of said first running surfaces being connected between the counterpart running surfaces of said main guidebeam and said first spaced apart guidebeam, second non-moving connecting running surfaces on said connecting switch section between said main guidebeam and said second spaced apart guidebeam, said second running surfaces comprising an inwardly facing vertical upper guide running surface, an outwardly facing vertical lower guide running surface and a substantially horizontal support running surface, each of said second running surfaces being connected between the counterpart running surface of said main guidebeam and said second spaced apart guidebeam, at least one gap in said first or said second guide running surface for passing a portion of the aftersaid rack, a rack for cantilevering on a guidebeam having wheels for use in moving on the running surfaces of said guidebeams, said wheels including a support wheel for running on said support surface, and upper and lower guide wheels for running on said upper and lower guide surfaces, at least one of said upper or lower guide wheels being dual vertically spaced apart wheels for bridging the gap in either said first or second guide running surface, and movable means on said rack for selectively moving on one of said connecting running surfaces to selectively move said rack through said switch section between said main guidebeam and one of the said spaced apart guidebeams.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The transportation system of claim 1 further characterized in that said first or said second running surface of said connecting guidebeam switch section includes an inwardly facing vertical upper guide running surface formed by a depending wall of said connecting guidebeam switch section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further characterized in that the main guidebeam is an upline guidebeam and the spaced apart guidebeams are diverging downline guidebeams.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further characterized in that the main guidebeam is a downline guidebeam and the spaced apart guidebeams are merging upline guidebeams.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 3 further characterized in that the downline guidebeams are vertically spaced apart.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 3 further characterized in that the downline guide beams are horizontally spaced apart.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 4 further characterized in that the upline guidebeams are vertically spaced apart.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 4 further characterized in that the upline guidebeams are horizontally spaced apart.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further characterized in that the movable means on said rack are extendable and rEtractable support wheels movable between at least two positions and that said rack has sets of dual upper guide wheels and dual lower guide wheels.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 9 further characterized in that the support wheels are located near the lower part of said rack.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 10 further characterized in that each of the support wheels is located between each set of dual lower guide wheels.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 9 further characterized in that the support wheels are located near the top of said rack.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 12 further characterized in that a pair of auxiliary support wheels are located adjacent to each of the support wheels.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 12 further characterized in that each of the support wheels is located between each set of dual upper guide wheels.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus of claim 9 further characterized in that the connecting running surfaces of the connecting guidebeam section contain gaps to pass portions of a rack and that the dual upper guide wheels and the dual lower guide wheels cooperate to bridge such gaps as the rack is moved through the connecting switch section.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
309 words
A guidebeam switch section for switching between an upline guidebeam and one of two or more spaced apart downline guidebeams comprising an upline guidebeam having an inward facing vertical upper guide wheel running surface, an outer facing vertical lower guide wheel running surface and a substantially horizontal support wheel running surface, a first downline guidebeam having an inward facing vertical upper guide wheel running surface, an outer facing vertical lower guide wheel running surface and a substantially horizontal support wheel running surface, a second downline guidebeam having an inward facing vertical upper guide wheel running surface, an outer facing vertical lower guide wheel running surface and a substantially horizontal support wheel running surface and a connecting guidebeam switch section having the upline end thereof connected to the upline guidebeam and a downline end thereof connected to each of said spaced apart downline guidebeams, said connecting guidebeam section having a first inward facing vertical upper guide wheel running surface, a first outer facing vertical lower guide wheel running surface, and a first substantially horizontal support wheel running surface, all of said first surfaces being connected between the counterpart running surfaces of said upline guidebeam and one of said spaced apart downline guidebeams, (and) said connecting guidebeam section having a second inward facing vertical upper guide wheel running surface, a second outer facing vertical lower guide wheel running surface and a second substantially horizontal support wheel running surface, all of said second surfaces being connected between the counterpart running surfaces of said upline guidebeam and the other of said spaced apart downline guidebeams and a substantially vertically extending gap in at least one of said first guide running surfaces or second guide running surfaces, said running surface being continuous in the normal direction of travel along said guidebeam connecting section for cooperation with a rack having dual vertically spaced apart guidewheels.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
309 words
A guidebeam switch section for switching between an upline guidebeam and one of two or more spaced apart downline guidebeams comprising an upline guidebeam having an inward facing vertical upper guide wheel running surface, an outer facing vertical lower guide wheel running surface and a substantially horizontal support wheel running surface, a first downline guidebeam having an inward facing vertical upper guide wheel running surface, an outer facing vertical lower guide wheel running surface and a substantially horizontal support wheel running surface, a second downline guidebeam having an inward facing vertical upper guide wheel running surface, an outer facing vertical lower guide wheel running surface and a substantially horizontal support wheel running surface and a connecting guidebeam switch section having the upline end thereof connected to the upline guidebeam and a downline end thereof connected to each of said spaced apart downline guidebeams, said connecting guidebeam section having a first inward facing vertical upper guide wheel running surface, a first outer facing vertical lower guide wheel running surface, and a first substantially horizontal support wheel running surface, all of said first surfaces being connected between the counterpart running surfaces of said upline guidebeam and one of said spaced apart downline guidebeams, (and) said connecting guidebeam section having a second inward facing vertical upper guide wheel running surface, a second outer facing vertical lower guide wheel running surface and a second substantially horizontal support wheel running surface, all of said second surfaces being connected between the counterpart running surfaces of said upline guidebeam and the other of said spaced apart downline guidebeams and a substantially vertically extending gap in at least one of said first guide running surfaces or second guide running surfaces, said running surface being continuous in the normal direction of travel along said guidebeam connecting section for cooperation with a rack having dual vertically spaced apart guidewheels.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
43 words
The switch section of claim 16 further characterized in that said first or said second running surface of said connecting guidebeam switch section includes an inwardly facing vertical upper guide running surface formed by a depending wall of said connecting guidebeam switch section.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 16 further characterized in that the downline guidebeams are vertically spaced apart.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 16 further characterized in that the downline guidebeams are horizontally spaced apart.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 16 further characterized in that the first running surfaces of said connecting switch section have gaps to pass portions of a rack moving through said switch section.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 16 further characterized iN that the second running surfaces of said connecting switch section have gaps to pass portions of a rack moving through said switch secton.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 16 further characterized in that both the first and second running surfaces of the connecting switch section have gaps to pass portions of a rack moving through said switch section.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
307 words
A guidebeam switch section for switching from one of two or more spaced apart upline guidebeams to a downline guidebeam comprising a downline guidebeam having an inward facing vertical upper guide wheel running surface, an outerfacing vertical lower guide wheel running surface, and a substantially horizontal support wheel running surface, a first upline guidebeam having an inward facing vertical upper guide wheel running surface, an outer facing vertical lower guide wheel running surface and a substantially horizontal support wheel running surface, a second upline guidebeam having an inward facing vertical upper guide wheel running surface, an outer facing vertical lower guide wheel running surface, and a substantially horizontal support wheel running surface and a connecting guidebeam switch section having the downline end thereof connected to said downline guidebeam and upline ends thereof connected to each of said spaced apart upline guidebeams, said connecting guidebeam section having a first inward facing vertical upper guide wheel running surface, a first outer facing vertical lower guide wheel running surface, and a first substantially horizontal support wheel running surface, all of said first surfaces being connected between the counterpart running surfaces of said downline guidebeam and one of said spaced apart upline guidebeams, (and) said connecting guidebeam section having a second inward facing vertical upper guide wheel running surface, a second outer facing vertical lower guide wheel running surface and a second substantially horizontal support wheel running surface, all of said second surfaces being connected between the counterpart running surfaces of said downline guidebeam and the other of said spaced apart upline guidebeams and a substantially vertically extending gap in at least one of said first guide running surface or second guide running surface, said running surface being continuous in the normal direction of travel along said guidebeam connecting surface for cooperation with a rack having dual vertically spaced apart guidewheels.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
307 words
A guidebeam switch section for switching from one of two or more spaced apart upline guidebeams to a downline guidebeam comprising a downline guidebeam having an inward facing vertical upper guide wheel running surface, an outerfacing vertical lower guide wheel running surface, and a substantially horizontal support wheel running surface, a first upline guidebeam having an inward facing vertical upper guide wheel running surface, an outer facing vertical lower guide wheel running surface and a substantially horizontal support wheel running surface, a second upline guidebeam having an inward facing vertical upper guide wheel running surface, an outer facing vertical lower guide wheel running surface, and a substantially horizontal support wheel running surface and a connecting guidebeam switch section having the downline end thereof connected to said downline guidebeam and upline ends thereof connected to each of said spaced apart upline guidebeams, said connecting guidebeam section having a first inward facing vertical upper guide wheel running surface, a first outer facing vertical lower guide wheel running surface, and a first substantially horizontal support wheel running surface, all of said first surfaces being connected between the counterpart running surfaces of said downline guidebeam and one of said spaced apart upline guidebeams, (and) said connecting guidebeam section having a second inward facing vertical upper guide wheel running surface, a second outer facing vertical lower guide wheel running surface and a second substantially horizontal support wheel running surface, all of said second surfaces being connected between the counterpart running surfaces of said downline guidebeam and the other of said spaced apart upline guidebeams and a substantially vertically extending gap in at least one of said first guide running surface or second guide running surface, said running surface being continuous in the normal direction of travel along said guidebeam connecting surface for cooperation with a rack having dual vertically spaced apart guidewheels.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
43 words
The switch section of claim 23 further characterized in that said first or said second running surface of said connecting guidebeam switch section includes an inwardly facing vertical upper guide running surface formed by a depending wall of said connecting guidebeam switch section.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 23 further characterized in that the upline guidebeams are vertically spaced apart.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 23 further characterized in that the upline guidebeams are horizontally spaced apart.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 23 further characterized in that there are two or more downline guidebeams and that the downline guidebeams are horizontally spaced apart.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 23 further characterized in that the first running surfaces of said connecting switch section have gaps to pass portions of a rack moving through said switch section.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 23 further characterized in that the second running surfaces of said connecting switch section have gaps to pass portions of a rack moving through said switch section.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
88 words
A rack for use in cantilever fashion on a guidebeam comprising a frame, at least two sets of upper dual guide wheels rotatably mounted on a normally vertical axis on an over-hanging arm of said frame, at least two sets of lower dual guide wheels rotatably mounted on a normally vertical axis on said frame, at least two support wheels rotatably and reciprocally mounted on a normally horizontal axis on said frame and means for extending and retracting said support wheels in a direction normal to said frame.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
88 words
A rack for use in cantilever fashion on a guidebeam comprising a frame, at least two sets of upper dual guide wheels rotatably mounted on a normally vertical axis on an over-hanging arm of said frame, at least two sets of lower dual guide wheels rotatably mounted on a normally vertical axis on said frame, at least two support wheels rotatably and reciprocally mounted on a normally horizontal axis on said frame and means for extending and retracting said support wheels in a direction normal to said frame.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 30 further characterized in that the support wheels are located near the lower part of said frame.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 31 further characterized in that the frame has power means attached thereto for rotatably driving said support wheels.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 30 further characterized in that the support wheels are located near the top of said frame.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 33 further characterized in that the frame has power means attached thereto for rotatably driving said support wheels.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
117 words
Apparatus comprising a frame, at least (3) three types of wheels rotatably mounted on said frame, said types comprising at least a pair of spaced apart (dual) upper guide wheels rotatably mounted on a normally vertical axis, at least (2) two spaced apart lower guide wheels rotatably mounted on a normally vertical axis and at least (2) two spaced apart support wheels rotatably mounted on a normally horizontal axis, means for driving at least one of said wheels and means for extending and retracting the wheels of at least one of said types in a direction normal to the direction of the plane of rotation of the wheels of one of said types (travel of said frame).
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
117 words
Apparatus comprising a frame, at least (3) three types of wheels rotatably mounted on said frame, said types comprising at least a pair of spaced apart (dual) upper guide wheels rotatably mounted on a normally vertical axis, at least (2) two spaced apart lower guide wheels rotatably mounted on a normally vertical axis and at least (2) two spaced apart support wheels rotatably mounted on a normally horizontal axis, means for driving at least one of said wheels and means for extending and retracting the wheels of at least one of said types in a direction normal to the direction of the plane of rotation of the wheels of one of said types (travel of said frame).
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 35 further characterized in that the support wheels are the extendable and retractable wheels.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
99 words
A method of switching a rack cantilevered on three running surfaces of a guidebeam between a main guidebeam and one of two or more spaced apart guidebeams comprising moving said rack along one of said guidebeams in cantilevered position, determining which of the other of said guidebeams to move said rack, moving a means movable on said rack to select a running surface for said rack, passing portions of said cantilevered rack through a gap in a running surface of the guidebeams, and switching said rack to said selected guidebeam while bridging said gap with wheels of said rack.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
99 words
A method of switching a rack cantilevered on three running surfaces of a guidebeam between a main guidebeam and one of two or more spaced apart guidebeams comprising moving said rack along one of said guidebeams in cantilevered position, determining which of the other of said guidebeams to move said rack, moving a means movable on said rack to select a running surface for said rack, passing portions of said cantilevered rack through a gap in a running surface of the guidebeams, and switching said rack to said selected guidebeam while bridging said gap with wheels of said rack.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 37 further characterized in that the rack is switched vertically.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 37 further characterized in that the rack is switched horizontally.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 37 further characterized in that the rack is switched from an upline guidebeam to one of two or more diverging downline guidebeams.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 38 further characterized in that the rack is switched vertically between two main line guidebeams.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
105 words
A method of switching a cantilevered rack between a main upline guidebeam and one of two or more diverging downline guidebeams comprising moving said rack along an upline guidebeam, selecting one of two or more downline guidebeams to which to move said rack, moving wheels of said rack in a direction normal to the direction of travel of said rack to select a running surface for said wheels, passing a portion of said rack through a gap in said running surface and causing said rack to move on said running surface to the selected downline guidebeam while bridging said gap with wheels of said rack.
Claim 49
Independent Claim
105 words
A method of switching a cantilevered rack between a main upline guidebeam and one of two or more diverging downline guidebeams comprising moving said rack along an upline guidebeam, selecting one of two or more downline guidebeams to which to move said rack, moving wheels of said rack in a direction normal to the direction of travel of said rack to select a running surface for said wheels, passing a portion of said rack through a gap in said running surface and causing said rack to move on said running surface to the selected downline guidebeam while bridging said gap with wheels of said rack.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 42 further characterized in that the rack is switched vertically.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 42 further characterized in that the rack is switched horizontally.
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) | 1975-05-02 | 1975-11-01 | 1976-05-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-02 | 1979-11-01 | 1980-05-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-02 | 1983-11-01 | 1984-05-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |