Patent US3845718A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3845718A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Transporter systems
Assignee: Dexion Comino International Ltd
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Filing: 1973-02-16
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Granted: 1974-11-05
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Expires: 1993-02-16
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to a car, for a tracked transporter system, supported upon wheels each of which is mounted so that it can swivel about an upright axis and one or more of which are drivable by a power unit carried upon the car, the car being further provided with automatically actuated steering means responsive to passive control means in the track of the system and operative for imparting swivelling movement to the said wheels to cause the car selectively to follow predetermined routes or courses in the said system. Advantageously the car comprises its own self-contained source of power, such as an electric motor supplied by a battery carried upon the car. The said steering means may be provided in conjunction with one wheel only, the wheels being all coupled together so that they swivel in unison.
Inventors
- 👤 N Shapcott
- 👤 R Hipkiss
- 👤 J Sunasky
- 👤 P Rogers
- 👤 F Harrison
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 06:03
CPC Classifications
B; B61; B61C; B61C13/00; B61B; B61B13/00; B61C3/00; B61C3/02; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T30/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
117 words
A transporter system comprising in combination: a. track means, b. a car supported upon a plurality of wheels, each wheel being mounted so that it can swivel about an upright axis, c. a power unit carried upon the car and drivingly connected to at least one of the said wheels, and d. automatic steering means inclUding 1. passive control means provided in said track means, 2. devices carried upon the car and operable in response to the passive control means for imparting to the said wheels swivelling movement in relation to the car to thereby cause the car to selectively follow a predetermined course along said track means while maintaining its orientation in relation to the system.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
117 words
A transporter system comprising in combination: a. track means, b. a car supported upon a plurality of wheels, each wheel being mounted so that it can swivel about an upright axis, c. a power unit carried upon the car and drivingly connected to at least one of the said wheels, and d. automatic steering means inclUding 1. passive control means provided in said track means, 2. devices carried upon the car and operable in response to the passive control means for imparting to the said wheels swivelling movement in relation to the car to thereby cause the car to selectively follow a predetermined course along said track means while maintaining its orientation in relation to the system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
devices carried upon the car and operable in response to the passive control means for imparting to the said wheels swivelling movement in relation to the car to thereby cause the car to selectively follow a predetermined course along said track means while maintaining its orientation in relation to the system.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
devices carried upon the car and operable in response to the passive control means for imparting to the said wheels swivelling movement in relation to the car to thereby cause the car to selectively follow a predetermined course along said track means while maintaining its orientation in relation to the system.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein the said automatic steering means comprises plungers carried under the car on a swivelling wheel mounting and projectable downwardly for engagement with stop means positioned on the track for imparting swivelling movement to the said mounting and wheel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein the power unit is an electric motor supplied by a battery carried upon the car and rechargeable thereon.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein the said steering means is provided in conjunction with one said wheel only and the wheels are all coupled together so that they swivel in unison.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein only one said wheel is driven, the wheel-driving means being carried upon the swivelling mounting of that wheel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein wheel-driving means includes torque-limiting means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein passive control means for initiating operation of the said steering means on the car comprises devices provided in the track for selectively actuating switch means on the car.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
67 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein passive control means for initiating operation of the said steering means on the car comprises, for programming the car for the course it is to follow, selectively energizable electromagnetic means provided in the track means for actuating switches which are provided on the car and which predetermine operation of the said steering means at selected points in the track means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
75 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein passive control means for initiating operation of the said steering means on the car includes stop means for engagement by a downwardly projectable plunger on the car, comprising flanges at right angles to each other and so disposed on the track means as to receive and be engaged by the plunger when projected and to permit disengagement of the latter after steering movement thereby initiated has been completed.
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) | 1977-11-04 | 1978-05-06 | 1978-11-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-11-04 | 1982-05-06 | 1982-11-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-11-04 | 1986-05-06 | 1986-11-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |