Patent US3880264A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3880264A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Power system
Assignee: Alden Self Transit Systems Corp
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Filing: 1973-10-19
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Granted: 1975-04-29
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Expires: 1993-10-19
Abstract
Abstract A transportation system includes two power sources that extend along opposite sides of a right of way for an electrically powered vehicle. Each power source includes an elongated open side housing of electrically insulating material that defines a channel having opposed inner surfaces disposed at an angle to one another and tapering inwardly. A power conductor is disposed in each inner surface and a third power conductor is located at the innermost end of the channel substantially midway between the two inner surfaces. Each vehicle includes two power collector assemblies, each power collector assembly having a tapered head that carries three conductor members and is arranged for sliding engagement with the power source on its side of the vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 James L Corkum
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 19:54
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60L; B60L5/00; B60L5/38; B60M; B60M1/00; B60M1/30; B60L2200/00; B60L2200/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
A power collector for an electrically powered vehicle adapted for sliding engagement with a continuous power source extending along a predetermined vehicle path and insertion into and removal from said power source at any point along the length thereof, said power source comprising a channel of electrically insulating material that has opposed surfaces that taper inwardly of the channel towards one another and a plurality of exposed electrically conductive bus bar structures extending the length of said channel parallel to one another along inner surfaces of said channel, said power collector comprising an elongated head of tapered cross-sectional configuration having two opposed outer surfaces disposed at an angle to one another and that meet at an apex, and a plurality of electrical contact structures, at least one contact structure being exposed at each said opposed outer surface and defining a contact surface for electrical engagement with a corresponding bus bar of said power source when said elongated head is inserted into said channel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
163 words
A power collector for an electrically powered vehicle adapted for sliding engagement with a continuous power source extending along a predetermined vehicle path and insertion into and removal from said power source at any point along the length thereof, said power source comprising a channel of electrically insulating material that has opposed surfaces that taper inwardly of the channel towards one another and a plurality of exposed electrically conductive bus bar structures extending the length of said channel parallel to one another along inner surfaces of said channel, said power collector comprising an elongated head of tapered cross-sectional configuration having two opposed outer surfaces disposed at an angle to one another and that meet at an apex, and a plurality of electrical contact structures, at least one contact structure being exposed at each said opposed outer surface and defining a contact surface for electrical engagement with a corresponding bus bar of said power source when said elongated head is inserted into said channel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The power collector of claim 1 wherein said members are mounted in said head by spring means biasing said members to protrude past the adjacent outside surface of said head.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
The power collector as claimed in claim 1 and further including retractor means for selectively inserting and retracting said tapered head into and from said channel and resilient means connecting said retractor means with said elongated head to permit angular movement of said elongated head relative to said channel during insertion of said elongated head into said channel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
84 words
The power collector as claimed in claim 3 wherein said elongated head is of generally triangular cross-sectional configuration and said two opposed surfaces are planar surfaces that meet at said apex, said apex extending along the length of said elongated head, and said plurality of electrical contact structures includes three elongated contact structures spaced from one another, one elongated contact structure being disposed along each said opposed surface intermediate the lateral boundaries thereof and the third elongated contact structure being disposed along said apex.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
The power collector as claimed in claim 4 wherein each said elongated contact structure extends along the length of said elongated head, said elongated contact structures being disposed parallel to one another and being biased outwardly beyond the adjacent outer surface of said elongated head for sliding engagement with the corresponding bus bars of said power source.
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) | 1978-04-28 | 1978-10-28 | 1979-04-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-28 | 1982-10-28 | 1983-04-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-28 | 1986-10-28 | 1987-04-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |