Patent ID: 6490980
Filing Date: 2002-12-10
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
A mass transit vehicle system comprising:a drive unit for providing locomotive force for said system, said drive unit having steerable front wheels for facilitating turning said system, said drive unit having a housing defining an interior motor space and an interior passenger space, said drive unit having a motor for generating said locomotive force; a passenger section for carrying a plurality of passengers, said passenger section being couplable to said drive unit, said passenger *** section having a housing defining an interior space, said passenger section having at least two wheels for facilitating moving an associated one of said passenger sections with said drive unit; a mating section for facilitating coupling of one of said passenger section to said drive unit, said mating section providing an environmental barrier such that an interior of said passenger section and an interior of said drive unit are in environmental communication, but are protected from an external environment; wherein said mating section further comprises: a hydraulic hitch assembly, said hydraulic hitch assembly havina a hitch portion and a holding portion, said holding portion being for selectively encaging said hitch portion such that said passenger section is selectively couplable to said drive unit; and an collar portion adapted for providing an environmental barrier between an interior of said system and an external environment, said collar portion being substantially tubular such that an interior of said drive unit is in environmental communication with an interior of said passenger section.