A DEVICE IN CHAIRS FOR PERSONAL AND GOODS RAPID TRANSIT

Abstract: In a device (1) for chairs (6) in Personal Rapid Transit/Personal and Goods Rapid Transit front chairs (6) are arranged to be able to be automatically withdrawn by adjusting devices (10) along the surface (5) of the floor and in such a way that sufficient space can be provided for a pallet, wheelchair, perambulator or bicycle or that such objects can be brought in the vehicle. The rear seats (17) can be placed in a folded position to reduce the need of length of action of the adjusting device (10). The front seats (16) can be placed in a folded position to do the same advantage and to protect the fittings (3) of the vehicle.

Description: A DEVICE IN CHAIRS FOR PERSONAL AND GOODS RAPID TRANSIT This invention relates to a device in chairs for Personal Rapid Transit or such a kind of vehicle or Personal and Goods Rapid Transit or such a kind of vehicle and comprising a substantially smooth floor plane shown by the vehicle and stands for movable chairs, whereby the stands for said chairs are arranged in connection with anchoring devices, along which the stands and said chairs are arranged to be able to be moved or displaced and adjust¬ ing devices, which are arranged to move or displace the stands in the ancho¬ ring devices. Personal Rapid Transit is really a trackbonded vehicle and a vehicle with¬ out a driver for rapid personal transit and Personal and Goods Rapid Transit is likewise really a trackbounded vehicle and a vehicle for rapid personal transit but as in accordance with the invention also can be arranged for transit of goods, articles and the like. One object of the device in accordance with the invention is to effect that a maximum compact, light and comfortable vehicle of the kind, which is named PRT and is meant for passenger transportation, with inconsiderable increase in weight and costs also can be arranged to be able to be used for other transportation categories than solely for passenger conveyance and will form a rational transport vehicle for goods, articles and the like, for exaπple goods loaded on an EUR-pallet or a so-called full pallet with the size 1.200 πtn x 800 mm, whereby the vehicle for passengers and/or goods con¬ veyance is of the kind, which is named PGRT. An another object of the device in accordance with the invention is to make it possible that a described compact vehicle quickly is adaptable to the fact that a person supported by a wheel chair can have a satisfactory space to move and space for himself and his wheel chair and fellow-passenger. A further object of the device in accordance with the invention is that travellers in a comfortable way are able to bring a perambulator without the need to fold or divide it. A still further object of the device in accordance with the invention is that travellers in a comfortable way are able to bring a bicycle, notwith¬ standing the smallness of the vehicle. PRT is, as said, shaped exclusively for passenger transportation and has i.a. stationary anchored chairs or seats and does not allow transportation of goods or the like. In other kind of vehicles are movable seats available but those seat stands are always arranged or anchored on an elevation, which principally forms a threshold and which also intrude on the foot-space. Those elevations are at least 120 mm and make it impossible to push in goods or the like into the vehicle or for a person supported by a wheel chair to wheel himself into the vehicle or at least in a safe and comfortable way. It is probably impossible that PRT/PGRT can have a break-through of finan¬ cial grounds if not small and light vehicles obtains such qualities as it is stated for the device in accordance with the present invention. It can¬ not be enough emphasizing that the vehicles must be kept particularly small and show low weight. Only light and compact constructed vehicles can present sufficiently light, inexpensive and space-saving elevated trackways and station establishments, or acceptable conditions for city planning. The explanation is that PRT/PGRT systems must have a widely ramified and surface covering network of tracks and a large number of stations to have a necess¬ ary basis for traffic. The tracks must in the main consist of elevated track- ways due to space causes and traffic engineering causes. The cost for tracks is a dominated cost in the system. The cost for elevated trackways is much directly depending on the dimension and weight of the vehicle. Noise level and energy consumption are as well strongly connected to the dimension and weight of the vehicle. The device in accordance with the invention results in that fact that a small and light vehicle for PRT/PGRT and for passenger transportation is going to be an effective means for transportation of goods and articles as well. The function of transportation of goods involves a determining possi- bility.to create economy by levelled traffic load and increased income. The device in accordance with the invention solves an frequent occuring problem for cyclists, persons supported by a wheel chair and for representa¬ tives interested in environment and disabled people and means - that is the possibilities to bring a bicycle and to be able to provide an easy way of travel for people supported by a wheel chair. A device in accordance with the invention fulfils the objects and the requirements made, while at the same time the disadvantages of known devices are eliminated. Thus, a small and compact vehicle with low weight is achieved allowing rapid transit of both passengers and goods, which probably is conclusive economically and lead to qualities and possibilities of use and increased demand. Furthermore, that the vehicle at any opportun¬ ity and use can be adapted to the need and besides to allow transportation of people also allows and make it easier for rapid transportation of brought goods, perambulators, bicycles, wheel chair, etc. A device in accordance with the invention is thus characterized in that the anchoring devices for the stands of the chairs are arranged into, below or near to the floor plane and in that the adjusting devices are arranged to be able to move or dis¬ place the stands so far that sufficient space or room is prepared for goods or the like and which space is obtained on the said and smooth floor plane. By this is attained that technics for PRT/PGRT can be kept at a low cost and simultaneously be enriched in possibilities of use, flexibility and comfort qualities. In an embodiment of the device in accordance with the invention said chairs and/or stands are arranged in such a way so that they are able to be moved or displaced in the vehicle connecting or near to fittings shown by the vehicle, front fittings or similar. According to an another embodiment of the device in accordance with the invention the adjusting device consist of an electrically driven or pneumat¬ ically driven piston or similar, which is connected with a stand. In a further embodiment of the device in accordance with the invention the anchoring devices or the adjusting devices show a long length of stroke or a longer length of stroke than what is generally frequent. According to a still further embodiment of the device in accordance with the invention the displaceable chairs and/or the vehicle comprising or shown stationary chairs or seats are arranged with folding seats or seat-portions to reduce the length of stroke of the anchoring devices and the adjusting devices. Further characteristics of and advantages with the device in accordance with the invention will in the following description be apparent by embodi¬ ment examples, whereby a simultaneous reference will be made to the accom¬ panying schematic drawings, of which Fig. 1 shows in a perspective view a Personal Rapid Transit/Personal and Goods Rapid Transit and examples of different transportations at a station, Fig. 2 shows from one side and partly in section a device for passenger service and to pick up people, Fig. 3 shows the device in the same section as in Fig. 2 but the device in position for transportation of goods, Fig. 4 shows the device from above and in position for traveller and bicycle and Fig. 5 shows in a front view an example of a different anchoring of a chair in anchoring devices. With reference designation 1 in the figures is shown devices according to the invention existing in Personal Rapid Transit/Personal and Goods Rapid Transit 2 or such a kind of vehicle, which is shaped for example for four passengers and show for this reason two front chairs 6 for two passengers and two rear chairs 7 or a back seat for two passengers but for small-sized people there is, perhaps, room for for example three. PRT/PGRT, which below will be called a vehicle to gain simplicity in description, has a small and compact bulk and shows preferably a short length. The interior space is optimized to be able to transport a certain number of passengers, for example with room for four people. The vehicle's interior space is limited by front fittings 3 and/or intrument panel and rear fittings 4. It is often only one person, who is going to travel, and therefore, it is an advantage if the vehicle is adapted with a small coupe or room for rapid transit. In Fig. 1 is shown a station 20, where vehicles are approached for unload¬ ing, loading or reloading and then for departure to a network. At this a row of vehicles 2 have been arrived, as a vehicle 21 for transit of merely passengers, an another vehicle 22 for transportation of a passenger suppor¬ ted by a wheel chair and still another vehicle 23 for conveyance of a pass¬ enger with a bicycle 14, whereby the vehicles 2 are adapted to the need in question, i.a. in that the chairs 6 or a front row of chairs 6 are situated according to the need in a suited place in the space of the vehicle, i.e. in the vehicle 21 without being displaced, in the vehicle 22 displaced for space for perambulator, full pallet 13, wheel chair 15 or another goods or the like and in the vehicle 23 with one chair 6 displaced for space or room for a bicycle 14 and a passenger. The vehicles 2 are prepared for intended transit even then they arrive at the station 20 for embarking, which can be done by the fact that passengers or transporter for each vehicle 2 have communicated the transit system the existed need of transportation, which can be done by the fact that a personal card or the like is read off by a reading device 24, whereby the vehicle 2 arrives at the place in a prepared state. Chairs 6 or a row of chairs 6 or front chairs 6 are arrranged removable by being able to be moved or displaced for example in the longitudinal direct- ion of the vehicle and towards and from front fittings 3 or intrument panel and can by that create a space for goods, articles or other cargo behind the front chairs 6 or between front and rear chairs or seats 6 and 7 respect¬ ively. The device 1 in accordance with the invention comprises one or more stands 8 for chairs, which stands reach all the way to that floor plane 5 extend¬ ing between rear seat 7 and front chairs 6 and which, according to one embodiment of the invention, shall be used to roll in and out for example a pallet 13, a wheel chair 15, a perambulator or a bicycle 14. The device 1 also comprises an adjusting device 10, which, according to one embodiment of the invention, shows a special long length of stroke and by this manages to automatically set the stands of the chairs in wanted position for differ¬ ent and particular needs of transportation requixing much space. The stands 8 of the chairs are displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and have their dividing line, according to one embodiment of the invention, on or near to the floor plane 5. The dividing plane of the displacement shall not be higher above the floor surface 5 than persons supported by a wheel chair yet can wheel in on or wheel off the floor sur- face 5 at liberty. The possibility of displacement of stands 8 of the chairs is, in accordance with the invention, special long with the purpose to create a sufficient cargo space for pallet 13, bicycle 14, wheel chair 15 or perambulator bet- ween the rear seat 7 of the vehicle and a displaced front chair or front chairs 6. The possibility of displacement can be effected in many different ways. The stands 8 of the chairs can slide or roll along the floor plane 5, on the floor plane or in grooves in the floor 12 or be provided with or attached to some kind of known anchoring device 9, for example spindles with ball sleeves, a guiding device, grooves 12 or an undercut groove 12. The guiding device 10 can be of some previously known construction and can be pneumatically driven or preferably electrically driven. The seat-portions 16, 17 of the vehicle 2 are, according to one embodiment of the invention, foldable and normally folded up with the aim to increase the usable cargo space of the vehicle longitudinally and by this reduce the need of length of stroke for anchoring device 9 and adjusting device 10. Both front chairs 6 of the vehicle can be shaped as one broadly seat. By that, however, one will lose the possibility for a cyclist to take a seat in front seat. Without exceeding the scope of the concept of the invention, modifications of the device according to the embodiment examples should be possible. Thus, the number of chairs can be differently. The chairs or the seats or seat-portions of the chairs, as well as the back or back-portions of the chairs can be adjustable for, for example, comfortable transit for passeng¬ ers. In the back of the front chairs can be arranged so called air-bags for the safety of the passengers seated behind the front chairs. Air-bags can also be arranged in the front fittings or instrument panel for the safety of the passengers placed in the front. The device in accordance with the invention is thus not restricted to that which has been shown and described in the embodiment examples, but soley by the following claims.

Claims: Claims: 1. A device in chairs for Personal Rapid Transit or such a kind of vehicle or Personal and Goods Rapid Transit or such a kind of vehicle and compris¬ ing a substantially smooth floor plane (5) shown by the vehicle (2) and stands (8) for movable chairs (6) , whereby the stands (8) for said chairs (6) are arranged in connection with anchoring devices (9) , along which the stands (8) and said chairs (6) are arranged to be able to be moved or dis¬ placed and adjusting devices (10) , which are arranged to move or displace the stands (8) in the anchoring devices (9) , characterized in that the anchoring devices (9) are arranged into, below or near to the floor plane (5) and in that the adjusting devices (10) are arranged to be able to move or displace the stands (8) so far that sufficient space for goods or the like (13, 14, 15) is obtained on the said floor plane (5). 2. A device in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that said chairs (6) and/or stands (8) are arranged to be able to be moved or displaced in the vehicle (2) connecting or near to fittings (3, 4) shown by the vehicle (2), front fittings (3) or similar. 3. A device in accordance, with claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the anchoring devices (9) form a guiding device, one or more rails, grooves (12) or similar, whose highest situated part or side in the vehicle (2) is located into, below or in close connection with the floor plane (5) and preferably or in any case not higher than that a person supported by a wheel chair (15) can wheel into the vehicle (2). 4. A device in accordance with claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the adjusting device (10) consists of an electrically driven or pneumatically driven piston or similar, which is connected with a stand (8). 5. A device in accordance with claim 1, 2 or 4, characterized in that the anchoring devices (9) and the adjusting devices (10) show a long length of stroke or a longer length of stroke than what is generally frequent. 6. A device in accordance with any of the preceeding claims, characterized in that two or more displaceable chairs (6) are arranged in the vehicle (2) , whereby each of said chairs (6) or the stands (8) of the chairs (6) are arranged in connection with an anchoring device (9) and at least an adjust- ing device (10), whereby, in transportation of goods or the like (13, 14, 15 or goods or the like and one or more persons, one, two or more chairs (6) separately can be moved or displaced, for example that one chair (6) in a row with for example two chairs (6) can be moved or displaced in the direct- ion of the fittings (3, 4) or front fittings (3) into the vehicle (2) for space or room for a bicycle (14), that both chairs (6) in the row of chairs (6) are moved or displaced for space or room for a pallet (13), perambulator wheel chair (15) or other goods or the like. 7. A device in accordance with claim 6, characterized in that the vehicle (2) comprises chairs (7) or a seat in a second row or seat, which, prefer¬ ably in a rear row or seat, are arranged stationary, arranged fixed anchored in the vehicle (2) and/or rest against the fittings (3, 4) or rear fittings (4) in the vehicle. 8. A device in accordance with claim 1, 5 or 7, characterized in that the displaceable chairs (6) and/or the vehicle comprising or showing stationary chairs (6) or seats are arranged with foldable seats (16, 17) or seat-port¬ ions to reduce the length of stroke of the anchoring devices (9) and the adjusting devices (10). 9. A device in accordance with claim 1, 2 or 7, characterized in that the seats (16) or seat-portions of the displaceable chairs (6) in a front row of chairs (6) or front seats (6) are capable to be folded up to be able to protect fittings (3, 4) shown by the vehicle (2), front fittings (3) and/or intrument panel in the vehicle (2) , when the displaceable chairs (6) , the chairs (6) in a front row or front chairs (6) are moved or displaced in the direction towards the front fittings (3) in the vehicle (2) and goods or the like (13, 14, 15) is transported in the vehicle.

Inventors: ABY STIG, ABY, STIG
Applicants: ABY STIG, ABY, STIG
Application year: 1991
Main classification: B61D33
IPC codes: B60N2, B61D1