Patent ID: 7966943
Filing Date: 2011-06-28
Classification: B61B,B62D,E01B,Y02T

Abstract:
1. A mass transport system comprising: a track having a first portion, said first portion comprising: a first pair of driving surfaces spaced apart by an air gap; a pair of guide walls extending substantially perpendicular to said first pair of driving surfaces; and, a car removably coupled to said track, and operable in a first mode and a second mode, said car comprising: a single body section; a first pair of steerable wheels coupled to said body section, said first pair of steerable wheels having tires in contact with said first pair of driving surfaces in said first mode and a conventional road in said second mode; a second pair of steerable wheels coupled to said body and arranged adjacent said first pair of steerable wheels, said second pair of steerable tires having tires arranged in contact with said first pair of driving surfaces in said first mode and said conventional road in said second mode; a first pair of linked switching wheels movable between an engaged position, and a disengaged position; a second pair of linked switching wheels movable between an engaged position, and a disengaged position; and, a pair of guide wheels each arranged on an opposing side of said single body section, said pair of guide wheels movable between an extended position when in said first mode and in a retracted position when in said second mode; wherein said pair of driving surfaces each has a width that is greater than a width of said first pair of steerable tires and said second pair of steerable tires, further comprising: a first and second pair of rails extending substantially perpendicular to said first pair of driving surfaces and disposed in said air gap, each of said pair of rails having an operable side, said first and second pair of rails being arranged in a staggered relationship; said first pair of rails and said second pair of rails are coupled to said first pair of driving surfaces further comprising a motor coupled to said first pair of linked switching wheels, said motor including means for rotating said first pair of linked switching wheels to substantially correspond to said car speed when said car transitions from said second mode to said first mode, wherein said car further comprises means for reducing air pressure in said first pair of tires and said second pair of tires in said second mode, wherein said track further includes a switching node, said switching node composing: a second track portion having a second pair of driving surfaces, wherein said second pair of driving surfaces operably coupled said first pair of driving surfaces; a third track portion extending from said second track portion and having a third pair of driving surfaces operably coupled to said second pair of driving surfaces; a third rail having a first end and disposed between said second pair of driving surfaces, said third rail being arranged to engage one of said first pair of linked switching wheels, said third rail having a longitudinal shape substantially matching a longitudinal shape of said third track portion; and, a fourth rail having a second end adjacent said first end, said fourth rail being disposed between said pair of third driving surfaces and arranged to engage the other of said first pair of linked switching wheels; wherein said first pair driving surface and said second pair of driving surface remain unobstructed by said third rail and fourth rail.