Patent ID: 6308640
Filing Date: 2001-10-30
Classification: B62D

Abstract:
A steering apparatus for a vehicle adapted to travel on a guideway having a central guide rail parallel to a desired course of the vehicle, wherein the vehicle has a vehicle body with front and rear wheel assemblies, said steering apparatus having at least one of the front wheel assembly and the rear wheel assembly and comprising:a) a support frame adapted to be attached to the vehicle body;b) a stationary axle housing mounted to the support frame, wherein the axle housing contains an axle having an axle axis;c) a first steerable drive tire mounted at one end of the axle and a second steerable drive tire mounted at the other end of the axle;d) a guide frame pivotally mounted to the axle housing about a vertical guide frame axis to define a guide frame pivot point;e) four guide wheels pivotally mounted upon the guide frame about guide wheel axes to follow the guide rail; andf) wherein the guide frame is pivotally mounted to the axle housing through a ring bearing, wherein the ring bearing has a first race secured to the guide frame and a second race associated with the first race and secured to the axle housing and wherein the first race and second race are concentric circular rings defining a bore extending therethrough into which vehicle components may extend.