Patent ID: 6431082
Filing Date: 2002-08-13
Classification: B60B,B61F,B62D,F16C

Abstract:
A guide wheel assembly for a guide frame of a rail guided vehicle, comprising:a shaft having a first end and a second end, with the shaft having an integrally formed flange located adjacent the second end of the shaft; a sleeve positioned about the shaft, with the sleeve having a first end face and a second end face, and with the first end face configured for attachment to the guide frame of the rail guided vehicle; a bearing positioned rotatably about the shaft and located axially between the flange and the second end face of the sleeve; a rotating assembly positioned about the bearing and coupled to the shaft by the bearing, with the rotating assembly configured to cooperate with a vertical guide rail for guiding the rail guided vehicle; and support means connected to the second end of the shaft and configured to support the bearing and the rotating assembly in a vertical direction in the event of failure of the bearing, wherein the rotating assembly further comprises: a hub positioned about the bearing and having an integrally formed and radially extending safety disc, with the safety disc having two faces; and a pair of rims each having a guide tire connected thereto, with the rims connected, respectively, to the two faces of the safety disc, and with the guide tires configured to engage the guide rail, wherein the safety disc at least partially extends between the guide tires such that in the event of failure of the guide tires the safety disc limits lateral movement of the guide tires with respect to the guide rail.