Patent ID: 8714092

Claim:
A switch system for a guided automatic transit vehicle (GATV) running along a guideway comprising a flat running surface with a central trough portion having a first edge and a second edge, wherein the switch system is adapted for either maintaining a first path of travel of the GATV or for redirecting the first path of travel of the GATV, the switch system comprising: a continuous guide having a first end and a pivotable second end opposite the first end, the continuous guide further comprising: a first edge comprising a first edge profile; a second edge comprising a second edge profile; a first continuous sidewall along the first edge between the first and the second end of the continuous guide; and a second continuous sidewall along the second edge between the first and the second end of the continuous guide, a pivot point about the pivotable second end, the pivot point having a pivot axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the continuous guide, wherein the switch system pivots about the pivot point from an initial first position and a final second position; wherein the switch system at the initial first position when the first continuous sidewall is aligned with the second edge of the central trough portion allows the GATV to continue travel along the first path of travel via the first continuous sidewall; wherein the switch system at the final second position when the second continuous sidewall is aligned with the first edge of the central trough portion allows the GATV to continue travel along a second path of travel via the second continuous sidewall; and wherein the central trough portion has a first width between the first edge and the second edge, the continuous guide has a second width at the first end between the first edge of the continuous guide and the second edge of the continuous guide, the second width being larger than the first width.