US3797401A — Automatic switching system for propelled carriers

Claim 1

Independent Claim 199 words

A transportation system including main line rails and switching rails substantially colevel throughout the length thereof with said main line rails, said switching rails including an initial portion parallel to the main line rails, carriers movable over said rails, means for propelling said carriers, switching means for moving said carriers between said main line rails and said switching rails, said switching means comprising main line wheels mounted on said carrier for engagement with said main line rails, switching wheels mounted on said carrier for vertical movement between a raised inoperative position and a lowered operative position, said switching wheels in the lowered position thereof having the rail engaging portion thereof below the rail engaging portion of said main line wheels, and means operative to move said switching wheels to their lowered operative position for engagement with said switching rails with a conjoint vertical lift of said carrier and disengagement of said main line wheels from said main line rails, said switching rails including a proximal ramp portion forwardly and upwardly inclined to provide a ramp for engagement by said switching wheels upon continued forward movement of said carrier whereby the forward movement of said carrier facilitates the lifting thereof.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 199 words

A transportation system including main line rails and switching rails substantially colevel throughout the length thereof with said main line rails, said switching rails including an initial portion parallel to the main line rails, carriers movable over said rails, means for propelling said carriers, switching means for moving said carriers between said main line rails and said switching rails, said switching means comprising main line wheels mounted on said carrier for engagement with said main line rails, switching wheels mounted on said carrier for vertical movement between a raised inoperative position and a lowered operative position, said switching wheels in the lowered position thereof having the rail engaging portion thereof below the rail engaging portion of said main line wheels, and means operative to move said switching wheels to their lowered operative position for engagement with said switching rails with a conjoint vertical lift of said carrier and disengagement of said main line wheels from said main line rails, said switching rails including a proximal ramp portion forwardly and upwardly inclined to provide a ramp for engagement by said switching wheels upon continued forward movement of said carrier whereby the forward movement of said carrier facilitates the lifting thereof.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 27 words

A system as in claim 1 and further including means for actuating said switching wheels moving means in advance of the proximal ends of said switching rails.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 30 words

A system as in claim 1 wherein said switching rails includes a distal portion forwardly and downwardly inclined to provide a ramp for downward and forward movement of said carrier.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 22 words

A system as in claim 1 and further including means for maintaining said switching wheels selectively in their raised and lowered positions.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 19 words

A system as in claim 1 wherein said switching rails are located outwardly of the respective main line rails.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 23 words

A system as in claim 5, wherein the outermost of said switching rails is superelevated relative to the innermost of said switching rails.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 83 words

A system as in claim 1, and further including spur line rails having a spacing equal to that of said main line rails, the proximal end portion of said spur line rails being between and in overlapping relation to the distaL end portion of said switching rails, the distal end portion of the switching rails being forwardly and downwardly inclined to provide a ramp for downward and forward movement of said carrier whereby said main line wheels thereof engage said spur line rails.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 42 words

A system as in claim 7, and further including means located along said spur line rails and beyond the terminal distal end of said switching rails for actuating said switching wheel moving means to raise said switching wheels to their inoperative position.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 56 words

A system as in claim 1 wherein said switching wheels are located outwardly of said main line wheels, and said switching wheel moving means comprises linkage means including interpivoted arm members for mounting said switching wheels and toggle means interconnecting said arm members and rotatable to shift said switching wheels between raised and lowered positions thereof.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1977-03-18	1977-09-17	1978-03-19	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1981-03-18	1981-09-17	1982-03-19	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1985-03-18	1985-09-17	1986-03-19	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Automatic switching system for propelled carriers

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