GB621495A - A transport device - Google Patents

Abstract

621,495. Roller vessels ; steering ships ; aircraft. RAULAIS, A. E. M. Jan. 19, 1946, Nos. 1906 and 1907. Convention dates, Nov. 23, 1944, and Oct. 30, 1945. [Classes 4, 113 (ii) and 114] [Also in Group XXXI] A vehicle for use on water comprises a drum 20 which is transversely rounded so as to be laterally rockable, a bogie 29 mounted on a continuous track inside the drum and movable relatively thereto in order to effect progressive rolling movement of the vehicle, and a counterpoise 40 mounted on and below the bogie for lateral pivotal movement for the purpose of rocking the drum laterally and steering it. Paddles are mounted on the outside of the drum which is sealed by means of transparent closures. The bogie has wheels 30 engaging rails inside the drum and carries an engine 32, Fig. 5, the shaft of which drives both axles of the bogie through gearing. The counterpoise 40 is pivoted on a horizontal axis and is adapted to be swung to one side or the other of the drum by means of gearing 45 from a steering arm 41. Alternatively, the counterpoise is carried on the circumference of a toothed wheel which is mounted on a vertical axis ; rotation of the toothed wheel through a pinion alters the position of the counterpoise and steers the vehicle. The invention is also applicable to a land vehicle (see Group XXXI). The Specification as open to inspection under Sect. 91 describes also the following features : (a) the provision of pneumatic or solid-rubber tyres on the wheels of the bogie or the formation of the wheels with teeth for engaging toothed racks in the drum ; (b) the formation of a vehicle for use on land or water as a hollow sphere 50, Fig. 22 (Cancelled), fitted with a platform 59 which carries an electric motor 61 and propeller 62 and is adapted to be swung so that the propeller depends vertically when the vehicle is used on water ; (c) the application of the invention to an aeroplane in which a bogie 73, Fig. 25 (Cancelled), running on tracks inside a hollow sphere 20 is provided with wings, tail planes 68, rudder 69, and wheel 70, one or a pair of propellers 72 for the propulsion of the aircraft being driven by corresponding motors 71. This subject-matter does not appear in the Specification as accepted.