Patent GB-512532-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to track vehicles
IPC: A63H21/02
Filed: 1938-05-27
Abstract: 512,532. Suspended vehicles. FLINN, H. V. May 27, 1938, No. 14529. [Class 103 (iv)] [Also in Group XV] A track vehicle, particularly a toy track vehicle, comprises one or more pulleys adapted to run on a single wire or cable, the pulley or one of the pulleys being driven by a clockwork or other motor through a suitable transmission and being capable of swivelling through 180 degrees to enable the vehicle to be reversed without reversal of the motor. In one form, Fig. 1, the motor 1 is. connected to the axle 3 of a pulley 4 by a bracket 2, and the vehicle 5 is pivoted to the unit 1, 2, 3, 4 about a vertical axis passing through the centre of gravity of the unit and the point of contact of the pulley with the wire. The transmission between the motor and pulley comprises a shaft 8 having a pinion 9 meshing with a crown wheel 10 and a pinion 11 meshing with a crown wheel 12 secured to the pulley. In modifications the motor shaft is provided with a rigid or flexible extension carrying a pinion meshing with the crown wheel 12 and in the first case the motor is inclined transversely of the vehicle. The pinion and crown wheel may be replaced by a worm or worm wheel. As shown in Fig. 4, the motor shaft carries a worm 18 engaging a worm wheel 15 located below the wire, the wheel being geared to the pulley 4. The motor is inclined longitudinally of the vehicle and a non-driven pulley 4a is provided. In a further modification, Fig. 6, a shaft 19 carries a pinion 22 in mesh with a crown wheel 12 secured to the pulley and is geared to the motor shaft by means of a crown wheel 20 and pinion 21. The pinion 22 and crown wheel 12 may be replaced by a crown and worm wheel or the arrangement of Fig. 4. In another form, Fig. 8, the motor 1 and vehicle 5 are pivoted by means of a bracket 43 and shaft 42 to a bracket 39, 40, 41 secured to the pulley axle, the pulley being driven by means of a flexible shaft. In a modification, the motor axis is horizontal and the motor is displaced longitudinally of the vehicle from the pulley. Angling of the pulley due to the driving torque is prevented by introducing friction into the pivot, providing a balancing spring or trailer wheel, or displacing the pivot axis transversely or longitudinally. Balance masses supported by arms from the top of the vehicle may be provided. A gyroscope may be provided driven by a separate motor or by the main motor through a free wheel or releasable transmission, in which case the centre of gravity of the vehicle may be above the wire or cable. If electric motors are employed, alternating current may be used for the motor driving the gyroscope and direct current for the main motor, the currents being supplied to the same line and filtering means being provided for rejecting the undesired current in each case. The main motor may thus be stopped while the gyroscope continues running. A governor, associated with the driving shaft of the motor transmission or one of the pulleys, may be provided to limit the speed of the vehicle. In one form, a wire attached to the face of the pulley is twined round the axle and weighted at its other end. To deal with steep gradients a multiple pulley consisting of several pulleys of different diameter arranged side by side may be employed, transference from one groove to another being effected by a frog, and a movable weight being provided to adjust the position of the centre of gravity of the vehicle. Alternatively, if the wire or cable is made of reduced diameter at the gradients, a pulley formed with a narrow groove may be employed. The driving pulley may be made to free wheel automatically or under control, e.g., to enable the vehicle to coast under gravity. Specifications 493,132 and 498,670, [both in Group XXX], are referred to.