Bi-modal mechanically trackable road vehicle with automatic axle latching mechanism
US4346659A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 19, 1980 |
| Grant date | Aug 31, 1982 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 19, 2000 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB62D1/265
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A bi-modal mechanically trackable vehicle adapted to be rail driven with or without a guide track, the vehicle including at least one non-steerable axle having non-steerable wheels mounted thereon, a plurality of tracking transverse guide rollers are provided for guiding the vehicle along the track. The transverse guide rollers are at least indirectly mounted at the non-steerable axle in an area of the respective wheels so as to be transversely displaceable. The non-steerable axle is mounted on the vehicle so as to be freely pivotable about a vertical axis. An arrangement is provided for automatically selectively locking the at least one non-steerable axle in an exact transverse position for driving without a guide track and for unlocking the at least one non-steerable axle from the exact transverse position. The locking and unlocking arrangement includes a latch longitudinally displaceably mounted on the non-steerable axle and a retainer mounted on the frame of the vehicle so as to be immovable at least in a transverse direction. The retainer includes a latch retainer adapted to engage the latch in a substantially shape-fitting fashion when the at least one non-rotatable steering …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.