US3715991A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Monorail guided electric airplane
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-09-04
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Granted: 1973-02-13
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Expires: 1990-09-04
Abstract
Abstract A transportation system combining the use of both a monorail and an airborne vehicle powered by electric motors from an electric power source located along the monorail. Rigid universally movable struts interconnect the vehicle with the monorail with electric cables housed by the struts for supplying electric current from a power source to the motors. Landing-loading platforms are located along designated locations at which the vehicle may be landed for the pick-up and discharge of passengers.
Inventors
- 👤 T Boyd
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 17:12
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64F; B64F3/00; B64F3/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
203 words
A transportation system comprising an airborne vehicle in combination with a monorail system, said vehicle being a rotary wing aircraft propelled by rotor blades rotating about a vertical axis for take-off and landing and further propelled by rotor blades rotating about a horizontal axis for forward flight, said vehicle having electric motors for turning said rotor blades, said monorail system comprising a T-beam mounted along longitudinally spaced support columns, said monorail system further including loading-landing platforms located in the immediate vicinity of said T-beam, a carriage mounted for rolling movement along the length of said T-beam, first electric conductor cables located within said carriage and parallel to said beam, rigid universally movable strut means interconnecting said vehicle to said carriage, said strut means including a first and second pivotal connection respectively at said vehicle and at said carriage for movement about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of said T-beam and further including a third and fourth pivotal connection respectively at said vehicle and said carriage for movement about an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of said T-beam, and conducting cable means electrically connecting said vehicle motors with said first conductor cables for the transmission of electric current to said motors.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
203 words
A transportation system comprising an airborne vehicle in combination with a monorail system, said vehicle being a rotary wing aircraft propelled by rotor blades rotating about a vertical axis for take-off and landing and further propelled by rotor blades rotating about a horizontal axis for forward flight, said vehicle having electric motors for turning said rotor blades, said monorail system comprising a T-beam mounted along longitudinally spaced support columns, said monorail system further including loading-landing platforms located in the immediate vicinity of said T-beam, a carriage mounted for rolling movement along the length of said T-beam, first electric conductor cables located within said carriage and parallel to said beam, rigid universally movable strut means interconnecting said vehicle to said carriage, said strut means including a first and second pivotal connection respectively at said vehicle and at said carriage for movement about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of said T-beam and further including a third and fourth pivotal connection respectively at said vehicle and said carriage for movement about an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of said T-beam, and conducting cable means electrically connecting said vehicle motors with said first conductor cables for the transmission of electric current to said motors.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
203 words
A transportation system comprising an airborne vehicle in combination with a monorail system, said vehicle being a rotary wing aircraft propelled by rotor blades rotating about a vertical axis for take-off and landing and further propelled by rotor blades rotating about a horizontal axis for forward flight, said vehicle having electric motors for turning said rotor blades, said monorail system comprising a T-beam mounted along longitudinally spaced support columns, said monorail system further including loading-landing platforms located in the immediate vicinity of said T-beam, a carriage mounted for rolling movement along the length of said T-beam, first electric conductor cables located within said carriage and parallel to said beam, rigid universally movable strut means interconnecting said vehicle to said carriage, said strut means including a first and second pivotal connection respectively at said vehicle and at said carriage for movement about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of said T-beam and further including a third and fourth pivotal connection respectively at said vehicle and said carriage for movement about an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of said T-beam, and conducting cable means electrically connecting said vehicle motors with said first conductor cables for the transmission of electric current to said motors.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
203 words
A transportation system comprising an airborne vehicle in combination with a monorail system, said vehicle being a rotary wing aircraft propelled by rotor blades rotating about a vertical axis for take-off and landing and further propelled by rotor blades rotating about a horizontal axis for forward flight, said vehicle having electric motors for turning said rotor blades, said monorail system comprising a T-beam mounted along longitudinally spaced support columns, said monorail system further including loading-landing platforms located in the immediate vicinity of said T-beam, a carriage mounted for rolling movement along the length of said T-beam, first electric conductor cables located within said carriage and parallel to said beam, rigid universally movable strut means interconnecting said vehicle to said carriage, said strut means including a first and second pivotal connection respectively at said vehicle and at said carriage for movement about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of said T-beam and further including a third and fourth pivotal connection respectively at said vehicle and said carriage for movement about an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of said T-beam, and conducting cable means electrically connecting said vehicle motors with said first conductor cables for the transmission of electric current to said motors.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein said carriage surrounds the upper portion of said T-beam and is provided with rollers in rolling contact with opposite sides of the T-beam horizontal flanges and with opposite sides of the T-beam vertical stem portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system according to claim 2 wherein said conducting cable means includes a contact plate mounted for sliding contact with each of said first conductor cables and further includes a second conductor cable connected to each said contact plate.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-02-13 | 1976-08-14 | 1977-02-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-02-13 | 1980-08-14 | 1981-02-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-02-13 | 1984-08-14 | 1985-02-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |