Abstract:
A system for guided travel over a surface between parallel guide rails includes a first frame including at least one rotatable element for travel over the surface; a first pin connected to the first frame, for rotation of the first frame thereon; a second frame including at least one rotatable element for travel over the surface; a second pin connected to the second frame, for rotation of the second frame thereon; and a base connected to the first pin and the second pin. The first frame and the second frame each include guide wheels for tracking along the respective guide rails and between them. The base can provide transit for people or products.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention generally relates to transport vehicles and, more particularly, relates to guided mass transit vehicles having dual-pivot steering mechanisms.  
         [0002]     Mass transit trains and other guided transit vehicles, such as subways and the like, operate in certain large cities and metropolitan areas in the U.S. and throughout the world. Additional locations would, no doubt, be benefited by mass transport services. Costs are quite substantial to acquire land, build tracks and infrastructure, and operate transport vehicles. Thus, many locations forego, or do not have the ability and resources required to implement and provide, transit services.  
         [0003]     Prior mass transit systems have typically been built in underground tunnels (e.g., as subways), as overhead railways, or as street-operated buses. Each of these systems is problematic because of expense. Moreover, each of the systems has certain requirements and peculiarities for construction and operations that make it physically and technically impractical, if not impossible in many cases.  
         [0004]     Additionally, although most locations have railway and surface street facilities and access in place, the prior transit systems have only been capable of limited cross-use of the facilities and access. For example, buses use city streets, however, the buses must typically conform to traffic flows of regular car and vehicle traffic. Few, if any, buses operate in designated lanes and transit space. The buses can be unwieldy and, in any event, further clog the normal vehicular traffic. As another example, trains use rail systems. These rail systems typically are limited to certain portions of cities or areas; therefore, the rails can not themselves provide general transit system access. Additionally, as to tunnel and overhead transit systems, the transit vehicles typically operate only in dedicated lines or space. However, these systems require special and costly infrastructure because of the dedicated usage, including land and space availability concerns.  
         [0005]     It would be a significant improvement in the art and technology to provide systems and methods for mass transit that make best use of existing facilities and systems otherwise used for other purposes. Additionally, it would be an improvement to provide such systems and methods operable among and between the conventional facilities and systems. Moreover, it would be a significant improvement in the art and technology to limit costs, infrastructure, space usage, and other normal requirements for erection and operation of mass transit systems. The present invention provides numerous advantages and improvements, including, for example, limited costs, use of existing infrastructures, minimization of land and space dedication and requirements, and other advantages. The present invention further operates consistently, smoothly, and in superior respects to the conventional systems.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     An embodiment of the invention is a system for guided travel over a surface between parallel guide rails. The system includes a first frame including at least one rotatable element for travel over the surface, a first pin connected to the first frame, for rotation of the first frame thereon, a second frame including at least one rotatable element for travel over the surface, a second pin connected to the second frame, for rotation of the second frame thereon, and a base connected to the first pin and the second pin  
         [0007]     Another embodiment of the invention is a transport system for travel over a surface. The system includes a wheel for travel on the surface, a frame on which the wheel is rotatingly fixed, a guide fixed to the surface, and a roller, rotatingly fixed to the frame, for travel in close proximity to and along the guide.  
         [0008]     Yet another embodiment of the invention is a method of transit of a vehicle. The method includes providing a first guided wheel, providing a second guided wheel, and pivoting the first guided wheel and the second guided wheel with respect to the vehicle.  
         [0009]     Another embodiment of the invention is a method of transit. The method includes providing a frame having a first pin and a second pin longitudinally displaced, providing a first guide, pivotally connected to the first pin, and providing a second guide pivotally connected to the second pin. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]     The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the accompanying figures, in which like references indicate similar elements, and in which:  
         [0011]      FIG. 1  illustrates a top view of a pivot steering mechanism for a transit system, according to certain embodiments of the invention;  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  illustrates an end view, along line A-A′ of  FIG. 1 , of the pivot steering mechanism for a transit system, according to certain embodiments of the invention; and  
         [0013]      FIG. 3  illustrates a top view of a transit vehicle foundation, including dual ones of the pivot steering mechanism for a transit system, according to certain embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0014]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a pivot steering mechanism  100  includes an axle  102  and two wheels  104   a ,  104   b . The wheels  104   a ,  104   b  are rotatingly fixed at respective ends of the axle  102 . The axle  102  is maintained within an axle housing  106 . The axle housing  106  includes a central, longitudinal void for holding the axle  102  in a freely rotating manner within the void. Although the axle housing  106  is shown as a single element in  FIG. 1 , the axle housing  106  is and can include any device for affixing the axle  102  in rotational relationship to any structures fixed to the axle housing  106 .  
         [0015]     The axle housing  106  is pivotally fixed to struts  108   a ,  108   b  at or near respective ends of the axle housing, close to the respective wheels  104   a ,  104   b . The struts  108   a ,  108   b  pivot with the axle housing  106  at the pivot points  110   a ,  110   b , respectively. The struts  108   a ,  108   b  have another end not fixed via the pivot points  110   a ,  110   b  to the axle housing  106 .  
         [0016]     Each other end of each of the struts  108   a ,  108   b  is fixed at respective ends of a guide bar  112 . The struts  108   a ,  108   b  pivot at the pivot points  114   a ,  114   b , respectively, in relation to the guide bar  112 . The guide bar  112  is fixed or incorporated with a center point pivot  120 . The center point pivot  120  is a centrum for rotational movement of the entire combination of the wheels  104   a ,  104   b , axle  102 , axle housing  106 , struts  108   a ,  108   b , and guide bar  112  thereabout. The guide bar  112  is fixed to the center point pivot  120  at a midway location of the length of the guide bar  112 . The guide bar  112  is, thus, rotates around the point pivot  120  such that each half of the guide bar  112  is a spoke about the center point pivot  120 . The wheels  104   a ,  104   b , axle  102 , axle housing  106 , and struts  108   a , on the other hand, are maintained in relative relation about the pivot points  110   a ,  110   b  and  114   a ,  114   b  and are circularly rotatable around the center point pivot  120  always some length away from the location of the center point pivot  120 .  
         [0017]     In operations, the guide bar  112  rotates around its midway at the center point pivot  120 . The struts  108   a ,  108   b , in cooperation with the axle housing  106  and the axle  102  contained within the axle housing  106 , causes the axle  102  to remain substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel of arrow X. This operation causes the wheels  104   a ,  104   b  to roll on the axle  102  in substantially parallel direction to the arrow X of travel of the mechanism  100 .  
         [0018]     Continuing to refer to  FIG. 1 , the axle housing  106  is fixedly connected to parallel bars  122   a ,  122   b . The parallel bars  122   a ,  122   b  are fixed in perpendicular relation to the axle housing  106 . The parallel bars  122   a ,  122   b  extend along either side of the center point pivot  120 . As the axle housing  106  moves rotationally around the center point pivot  120 , the parallel bars  122   a ,  122   b  likewise rotate around the center point pivot  120  and maintain the perpendicular relation to the axle housing  106  and the parallel relation of the bars  122   a ,  122   b  across opposing sides to the center point pivot  120 .  
         [0019]     The parallel bars  122   a ,  122   b  are substantially the same length, and extend sufficiently laterally beyond the wheels  104   a ,  104   b . At an end of the parallel bars  122   a ,  122   b , extending beyond the axle housing  106  on a same side of the center point pivot  120 , a front frame  130  is fixed to the parallel bars  122   a ,  122   b . The front frame  130  is connected to guide wheel housings  132   a ,  132   b , at each end of the front frame  130 . The guide wheel housings  132   a ,  132   b  fixed with the front frame  130  extend at least beyond a width of the wheels  104   a ,  104   b  in relation to the center point pivot  120 .  
         [0020]     The guide wheel housings  132   a ,  132   b  each support a respective guide wheel  134   a ,  134   b  rotatingly affixed thereto. Each guide wheel  134   a ,  134   b  is a substantially round wheel centered and mounted with a vertical (outward from the page) rotational axis  136   a ,  136   b . The guide wheels  134   a ,  134   b  each rotate around the respective rotational axis  136   a ,  136   b . Whereas the wheels  104   a ,  104   b  travel along a surface, such as the ground, the guide wheels  134   a ,  134   b  can travel along a guide (hereafter further detailed) perpendicularly to the surface on which the wheels  104   a ,  104   b  travel.  
         [0021]     At another end of the parallel bars  122   a ,  122   b , a rear frame  140  is fixed perpendicular to the parallel bars  122   a ,  122   b . The rear frame  140  is attached at its ends with respective guide wheel housings  142   a ,  142   b . Like the guide wheel housings  134   a ,  134   b , the guide wheel housings  142   a ,  142   b  are each affixed with a rotation axis  144   a ,  144   b , rising vertically (i.e., upward in the page of  FIG. 1 ). Each respective rotation axis  144   a ,  144   b  is fixed with a guide wheel  146   a ,  146   b  that rotates on the rotation axis  144   a . Like the guide wheels  134   a ,  134   b , the guide wheels  146   a ,  146   b  can travel along a guide perpendicularly to the surface on which the wheels  104   a ,  104   b  travel.  
         [0022]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a rear view along line A-A′ of  FIG. 1  shows the mechanism  100  and relative orientation of the wheels  104   a ,  104   b  and the guide wheels  146   a ,  146   b . Although not shown in detail in the Figures, a front view of the mechanism  100  would also show a substantially similar relative orientation of the wheels  104   a ,  104   b  and the guide wheels  134   a ,  134   b . The rear frame  140  is substantially horizontal with a surface on which the wheels  104   a ,  104   b  can roll. The parallel bars  122   a ,  122   b , and the respective guide wheel housings  142   a ,  142   b  fixed to the rear frame  140 , each rotate around the center point pivot  120  for the mechanism  100 .  
         [0023]     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a transit vehicle  300  includes two opposingly configured pivot steering mechanisms  100   a ,  100   b . Each pivot steering mechanism  100   a ,  100   b  is fixed at its center point pivot  120  to a vehicle base  302 . The vehicle base  302  is a chassis or other foundation atop which can be fixed a vehicle housing (not shown in figure), such as a passenger compartment. The vehicle base  302  extends a length beyond each mechanism  100   a ,  100   b . Each mechanism  100   a ,  100   b  is located under the vehicle base  302 , and the vehicle base  302  (and any vehicle housing fixed to it) is fixed with each mechanism  100   a ,  100   b  via the respective center point pivot  120 .  
         [0024]     Respective and parallel extending guides  304   a,b  form a guided path in which the entire structure of the transit vehicle  300  can travel. The guides  304   a,b  extend upward from a travel surface on which the wheels  104   a,b  of each mechanism  100   a ,  100   b  can travel. For example, if the wheels  104   a ,  104   b  travel along a relatively horizontal ground surface, the guides  304   a,b  are rails extending along the surface and forming an upwardly projecting side. The adjacent and upwardly projecting sides of the guides  304   a,b  serve to retain the respective guide wheels  134   a ,  134   b  and  146   a ,  146   b  of each of the mechanisms  100   a ,  100   b  between the guides  304   a,b.    
         [0025]     In operation, the center point pivot  120  of each mechanism  100   a,b  is retained in approximately a center of the travel path formed by the guide rails  304   a,b . If and when the guide rails  304   a,b  vary from exact straight extension, the mechanisms  100   a, b  are maintained between the guide rails  304   a,b . Nonetheless, the vehicle base  302  need not be bendable or otherwise jointed in order to continue in the path formed between the guide rails  304   a,b . Moreover, the respective guide wheels  134   a ,  134   b  and  146   a ,  146   b  of each mechanism  100   a ,  100   b  can continue along the guide rails  304   a ,  304   b  of the path, because each mechanism  100   a ,  100   b  is able to rotate laterally in relation to the vehicle base  302 , via the respective center pivot point  120 .  
         [0026]     Furthermore as to operation, the entire transit vehicle  300  is automatically steered and guided in an appropriate path by the guide rails  304   a ,  304   b  forming the travel path. The wheels  104   a ,  104   b  of each mechanism  100   a,b  are aligned to rotatingly travel along the appropriate path, because the wheels  104   a ,  104   b  are automatically aligned therein in travel, as the guide wheels  134   a,b  and  146   a,b  travel within and along the guide rails  304   a,b . The double pivot arrangement of the vehicle  300  permits travel along any path by the vehicle, corresponding to the appropriate and desired path formed via the guide rails  304   a,b.    
         [0027]     The steering provided by the foregoing will permit travel of the vehicle  300  along most any desired path, including along conventional mass transit roads and the like. Moreover, the vehicle  300  is not restricted to travel on any railway or other particular surface. The wheels  140   a,b  of the vehicle  300  can be regular tires or other round wheels. If the vehicle  300  is incorporated with a manual or other steering assemblage, the vehicle can travel along as so steered. In such instance, the guide rails  304   a,b  would not be limiting. Moreover, the vehicle  300  can be equipped with a drive train and engine or motor. In such instance, the vehicle  300  can automatically travel as driven, either along a path formed by guide rails  304   a,b  or along any other path provided there is some other steering assemblage or path. In any event, the vehicle  300  is not limited to operations of travel via or within guide rails  304   a,b  or any other particular path. On the other hand, the dual mechanism  100   a,b  arrangement and center point pivot  120  thereof, allows any type of vehicle base  302  (and vehicle housing) to effectively travel within a guide rail  304   a,b  path.  
         [0028]     For other examples and alternatives, the Exhibit A hereto and incorporated herein includes additional features and concepts. All such examples and alternatives, together with the features and concepts, are included herein and in the invention.  
         [0029]     In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.  
         [0030]     Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described above with regard to specific embodiments. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature or element of any or all the claims. As used herein, the terms “comprises, “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.