US3949680A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle track and vehicle
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-01-22
•
Granted: 1976-04-13
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Expires: 1995-01-22
Abstract
Abstract A vehicle track and vehicle of the same general class of vehicles which includes toboggans, bobsleds, roller coasters, and other free-falling vehicles. The track includes a multiplicity of longitudinally joined, juxtaposed track sections and stanchions for supporting the section at selected elevations above the ground. Each section further includes a rigid supporting frame extending between adjacent stanchions and a pair of generally parallel, spaced-apart rails secured to the frame in a vertically spaced-apart relationship thereto. The frame and rails define therebetween an elongated channel. The vehicle includes an enclosure dimensioned to accomodate at least one person and to be received within the aforementioned channel. A plurality of wheels are rotatably mounted to the vehicle and in rolling engagement with the rails by means of axles secured to the vehicle at points above the bottom of the vehicle enclosure. Keeper means are secured to the vehicle for maintaining the wheels in engagement with the rails.
Inventors
- 👤 Howard E. Doughty
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 14:43
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63G; A63G21/00; A63G21/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
173 words
A vehicle and vehicle track, the combination comprising an elongated track having a terminal end and a starting end elevated therefrom, a rigid supporting frame selectively elevating said track above the ground, said frame including a plurality of stanchion member means and a plurality of space frames each including a plurality of fixedly joined frame members, each of said space frames extending between adjacent stanchion member means, a pair of generally parallel, spaced-apart rails, means securing said rails to said space frame in a vertically spaced-apart relationship thereto, said space frame and rails defining therebetween an alongated channel, a vehicle including an enclosure dimensioned to accomodate at least one person, said enclosure having a bottom, said vehicle being received in said channel, a plurality of wheels rotatably mounted to said vehicle and being in rolling engagement with said rails, the axles of said wheels being secured to said vehicle at points above the bottom of said vehicle enclosure, and keeper means coupled to said vehicle for maintaining same in engagement with said rails.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
173 words
A vehicle and vehicle track, the combination comprising an elongated track having a terminal end and a starting end elevated therefrom, a rigid supporting frame selectively elevating said track above the ground, said frame including a plurality of stanchion member means and a plurality of space frames each including a plurality of fixedly joined frame members, each of said space frames extending between adjacent stanchion member means, a pair of generally parallel, spaced-apart rails, means securing said rails to said space frame in a vertically spaced-apart relationship thereto, said space frame and rails defining therebetween an alongated channel, a vehicle including an enclosure dimensioned to accomodate at least one person, said enclosure having a bottom, said vehicle being received in said channel, a plurality of wheels rotatably mounted to said vehicle and being in rolling engagement with said rails, the axles of said wheels being secured to said vehicle at points above the bottom of said vehicle enclosure, and keeper means coupled to said vehicle for maintaining same in engagement with said rails.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said track includes a multiplicity of longitudinally joined and juxtaposed track sections.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said space frames include a frame section which is triangular in cross-section, there being an elongated member extending longitudinally of said frame section at the apices of said triangular cross-section and a plurality of braces secured in triangular array between said elongated members.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said stanchion means comprise pilings having one end thereof adapted to be fixedly secured in the earth, said pilings each having an upper end, there being means fixedly secured to such stanchion means adjacent the said upper ends thereof for securing said supporting frame thereto.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
The combination of claim 4 wherein said supporting frame includes elongated members which extend longitudinally of said track, said securing means includes a plurality of brackets fixedly secured to said upper ends of said stanchion means, the distal ends of said elongated members being secured to predetermined ones of said brackets.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The combination of claim 5 wherein said brackets and said elongated members are joined with a slip joint to accomodate contraction and expansion of said track sections.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination of claim 2 further including slip joint means for joining contiguous ones of said track sections together.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
65 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein each of said wheels further includes an enlarged disc fixedly secured thereto and axially inwardly thereof, said disc having an outside diameter larger than the outside diameter of said wheels, said disc being disposed generally parallel to radii of said wheels and overlying the inside surface of said rails thereby to maintain said wheels in alignment with said rails.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The combination of claim 4 wherein said wheels each include a concavely recessed peripheral surface generally complimentary to the cross-section of said rails, said recessed outer surface maintaining said wheels in alignment with said rails.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
58 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said vehicle further includes a pair of skirt portions fixedly secured thereto, said skirt portions extending outwardly and downwardly of said enclosure and defining therebetween a pair of recesses extending longitudinally with respect to the center line of said vehicle, said wheels being disposed within said recesses whereby said wheels are concealed.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
65 words
The combination of claim 10 wherein said vehicle further includes a supporting frame, said enclosure and said skirt portions enclosing said frame, a pair of axles extending laterally of said vehicle adjacent to forward and rear ends thereof, respectively, said wheels being rotatably mounted to said axles, said axles being secured to said frame at points thereon above the center of gravity of said vehicle.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
41 words
The combination of claim 11 wherein said keeper means comprise a plurality of members fixedly secured to said frame, each said member including an outwardly extending flange portion, said flange portions being positioned to underly the bottom surface of said rails.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-04-13 | 1979-10-13 | 1980-04-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-04-13 | 1983-10-13 | 1984-04-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-04-13 | 1987-10-13 | 1988-04-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |