Patent GB-1208900-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to transportation systems
IPC: B62D1/26
Filed: 1967-12-19
Abstract: 1,208,900. Transport systems; electric railways; steering wheels; vehicle suspensions. ALDEN SELF-TRANSIT SYSTEMS CORP. 19 Dec., 1967 [29 Dec., 1966], No. 57606/67. Headings B7D; B7H and B7L. [Also in Division A6] A transoort system comprises track surfaces 20, Fig. 2, within a channel structure 10 forming a platform 24 above the surfaces 20 and provided with a central slot 26 extending parallel to the track surfaces, the platform being formed with guide elements 30, 32 on opposite sides of the slot 26, and a vehicle 12 having a loadcarrying compartment 42 above the platform 24 and connected by a narrow waist 44, passing through the slot 26, to a pair of wheeled electric driving units 40 engaging the surfaces 20, the front unit 40 being provided with steering mechanism on which are mounted vertically mounted guide followers 62, 64 selectively engageable with the guide elements 30, 32 respectively to guide the vehicle on the track surfaces 20. The system includes a main travel path 18, Fig. 1, on entrance spur 14 and an exit spur 16 and the vehicle which can be driven and steered over the ground in conventional manner can be selectively engaged with the main path 18 on the spurs 14, 16 by engaging the follower 64 with the guide 32 or the follower 62 with guide 30, and with the aid of a central auxiliary guide follower 80 on the front driving unit 40 being engaged in a flared slot between the surfaces 20, as described with reference to Fig. 8 (not shown). Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, the vehicle waist 44 is connected at each end to a support frame 100. Each frame 100 has associated therewith a pair of support members 102 depending from the waist 44, which members 102 pivotally carry a pair of wheel suspension units 104. Each unit 104 carries a separate motor, e.g. 50a for the respective wheel, viz. 48a. A spring 112 is disposed between each unit 104 and the frame 110 and pivotal movement of the unit is limited by a buffer 114. Steering structure 60 for the front driving unit 40 and connected to a conventional steering wheel, comprises a link 226, carrying the guide followers 62, 64 and 80 (shown in Fig. 2), which link is connected to steering arms 120, 122 pivoted at 124, 126 to the frame 100. The arms 120, 122 are connected by links 128 to the front wheels and to the rear wheels via links 132, a T-shaped coupling 134 pivoted to the front frame 100, links 136, steering elements 138, 140 pivoted to the rear frame 100 and links 144. The rear wheels are thus rotated in the opposite direction from the front wheels but it may be arranged that they rotate in the same direction. The waist 44 houses brake apparatus 146 engageable with the side surfaces of the slot 26. The follower 62 is urged away from the guide-30 by a spring 66 and into the guide by a solenoid 68, whereas the follower 64 is urged by a spring 66 into its guide 32 and out of that guide by a solenoid 70. The follower 80 is urged to its operative lowered position by a solenoid 82. Power is supplied to the system by conductors 52, 54, carried by side walls 22 of the channel 10 and connected to conductors within the guides 30, 32. Referring to one form of guide and follower, Fig. 5, the interior walls 34, 34, 36 of the guide are provided with a layer of electrical insulation 160 and carry conductors 162, 164 and 166, the latter being a control conductor. The follower comprises a synthetic plastic shoe 170 in which is mounted a flexible bladder 174 abutting carbon brushes 180, 182 slidable in the shoe. The solenoid has an armature rod 170 having an actuator plate 174 connected to the bladder 174. When the armature rod is raised the follower enters the guide and the bladder is distorted to urge the brushes into contact with the conductors 162, 164. A contact 172 on the top of the shoe also engages the control conductor 166. When the vehicle enters the track structure the conventional steering wheel is disconnected from the steering structure. Reference has been directed by the Comptroller to Specification 1,026,415.