US1493393A - Aerial railway - Google Patents

Description

May 6 1924.

G. SAUVOLA AER I AL RAILWAY Filed sept. a

:922 6 sheets-sheet 1 fr? i ,f

May 6 1924. 1,493,393

' G. SAUVOLA AERML RAILWAY Filed sept :.8 19.22. v 6. sheejcs-sheet 2 mantoz G 0574/7540/046) [/l/f'r/VESSES 35% if m am" May 6', 1924.`

' G. SUVOLA AERIAL RAILWAY Filed sept. 8 1922 6 sheeis-sheet s May e; 1924.

@ERIM-1 RAILWAY Filed Sept. '8

a Qi i e sheets-sheet 41 G. vsAuvoLAr AERIAL RAILWAY May 6 1924.

Filed Sept. 8,

1922 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 i ff/'V55 M M ffm/nml Patented May 6, 1924.

UNITED STATES 1,493,393 PATENT #oT-*Fica GUs'rAF sAUvoLA, or As'roRrA, oaiszcroisr.

AERIAL RAILWAY.

` Application led September'S, 1922. ySerial N'o. 586,921.

lo An object of my invention is to provide an aerialrailway, whereby an automobile may be adapted to runv on a cable or other suitable elevated track, whereby -it is propelled by its own power. f

A further object of my invention is to provide an aerial railway, which is applicable to either an automobile or an' electric car, said aerial railway being provided with suitable trolley. wires wherebyv an electric 2o vehicle will be supplied with current to proypel the same.

A still further object of my invention is to provide an aerial railway, in` which an ordinary automobile may be provided with apparatus used in connection with my invention, in such "a manner that it may efficiently be used as an aerial conveyance.

A still further objecty of my invention to provide an aerial railway, wherein a complete system of aerial transportation may be had, including' cross overs and turn tables.

yA still further object of my inventionis to provide an aerial railway that is provided with suitable loading and unloading junctions at intervals along the line.

A still further object of my invention is to provide an aerial railway, that can be used to advantage in crowded cities, or in crossing bodies ofwater or rough country, that is out of the way of ordinary traffic.

, A still further object of my invention is 'to provide an aerial railway, that is extremelyefficient in its operation and that is so constructed as to sustain the usage to l which it is adapted to be put, and that is comparatively simple and inexpensive fin construction and that is well adapted for the purpose for which it is designed. A

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the coursel of -the following description.

In the drawings, wherein likey numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same, Y

Figure l isa side elevation illustrating lthe method of adapting an ordinary autof mobile, to berun upon acable, l Figure 2 is a rear elevation of the same,` Figure 3'is ya detail view of the means whereby thepower is derived fromthe rear wheels of the automobile, to propel the same along-a cable or track, l

Figure 4 is a top planl view of a track crossr section, used vin conjunction with my invention,

through aturn table, which `is used in my aerial system,

. Figure 6 is a perspective view of the interior thereof, 1 i j VFigure 7 is a lview- -illustrating a form of` turn table, and 'a loading system used with my system, and i Y Figure 8 is a detail view of a post showing means thereon for supporting guy wires. In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustrationis shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 10'designates any .form of automobile body having` the rear wheels 11-and the front wheels 12. Mounted on the rear wheels 11 is a plate `13 which is held in place by suitable bolts or hooks l'passed through the opening 14 -in the plate 18. The plate 13 is provided with 'a shaft 116 having a reduced end 17, said por AFigure 5 is a central vertical section taken i tion `16 having-a sprocket wheel 18 made 1 y integral therewith. i

Mounted on the reduced portion 17 of the shaftl is a vertical frame member 19 which vis prevented from slipping off of the reduced portion 17 by meansof a cotter pin or the like. 20. The reduced portion of the shaft 16 `is adapted to rotate in the lower end'of the vupstanding frame member 19 in a journal 21. An upright frame member 22 hav-4 in'g. a journal 28 isk mounted on the right `handv shaft 16 on the reduced end 17 thereof '27' are provided to hold the shaft'in place.

Mounted directly abovethe sprocket wheels' 18 on the .shaft '16, are sprocket .wheels-28 which are carried by the shaft 24, and a sprocket chain 29 is adapted to connect each msv pair of the sprocket wheels 18 and 28. It will thus be seen that by the rotation of the rear wheels 11, the sprocket wheels 18 will be caused to rotate in view of the fact that the plate 13 which carries the sprocket wheels 18 is rigidly connected to said rear wheels, said sprocket wheels 18 causing the sprocket chains 29 to operate, thereby rotating the sprocket wheels 28 which are keyed to the shaft 24, thereby rotating the saine.

In Fig. 2 of the drawings, it will be seen that the right hand vertical frame member 19 is bent at right angles, slightly above the sprocket wheels 28, said member 19 running horizontally for a substantial distance and again bent at right angles so as to resume a vertical direction and bent over as is clearly shown in the drawings to 'form a U-shaped viframe. The sides of the U-shaped trame and 31 respectively are adapted to receive a shaft 32, on which is mounted a sprocket wheel 33, and a wheel 34 similar to a pulley wheel. Mounted directly below the sprocket wheel 33 on the shaft 24 is a Ysprocket whe-el over which as adapted to run a sprocket chain 36 to the sprocket wheel 33. The wheel 34 is adapted to be mounted upon a suitable cable or other form of track 37.

The right hand vertical frame member 22 terminates a short distance above the shaft 37. A similar frame structure is carried by the front wheels 12 0f the automobile 10 except that there are not sprocket wheels or sprocket chains, but simply the plate 13 which is carried by the front wheels 12, which carries a shaft 17 which is journaled to the vertical frame member 22 on the ri'cht hand drive of the machine, and a similar structure, that is the U-shaped trame 30 and 31 which carries a similar wheel 34 which is also adapted torun on the cable or track 37T As is clearly shown in Figi. 1 the longitudinal cross member 38 is mounted on the shafts 27 and 27 said member being provided with dependingr hooks 39 near each end thereof adapted to engage the end of a coil spring 40, the other end of which is connected to outstanding` hooks 41. It will thus be seen that the springs will have a tendency to maintain the upright frame members 22 and 22 in a vertical position at all times.

It will thus be seen that an automobile or'like vehicle such as clearly illustrated in the drawings, may be used as an aerial railway. The power used is derived from the ordinary engine of such vehicles, said engine beinlconnected to the rear wheels 11 bythe ordinary drive shaft and other mechanism. said rear wheels 11., being the driving wheels. I have devised means whereby a plate similar to the one 13 is clampedvto the rear wheels of the automobile, said plate being provided with a sprocket wheel 18 the guy wires 45.

over which runs a sprocket chain 29. It has been found that Ithe form of frame which I have illustrated is entirely satisfactory for supporting the vehicle 10 in midair .on the cable 37,'but the same may be changed it conditions warrant it. It will be seen that the sprocket chain 29 will rotate the sprocket wheel 2S which is carried by the shaft 24 which is journaled between the vertical members 19 and 22 respectively. rihe rotation of the sprocket wheel 28 will rotate the shaft 24 which carries a similar sprocket wheel 35 over which runs a sprocket chain 36 to a sprocket wheel 33 on the shatt 32 which is journaled between the arms of the U-shaped member 30. The rotation of the sprocket wheel 33 rotates the shaft 32 on which is keyed a suitable wheel member 34 which propels the frame carrying the vehicle along the cable or other suitable track 37. It is: to be understood that I do not restrict myself tothe form of track which should be used. and the cable 37 as is shown is merely illustrative of a form which may be used.

In order that myy invention may be put to commercial use and advantage I have provided means whereby an entire system be had wherein the cars may be switched from one direction to the other, or two lines may intersect without causing any diliiculty. In other words I have made it possible to have a; complete aerial railway in which traflie may be dispatched in various directions with ease. Fig. 4 of the drawings clearly illustrates a form of intersection, or tra-ck cross which may be used to advantage in accordance with my invention. The numeral 42 designates posts which are spaced the desired distance apart, as is deemed advisable. Mounted on the posts 42 are collars-43 which are provided with the hooks 44 to which are connected The collars 43 may be lsecured to the posts 42 in any desired manner, and I have illustrated a form which may bc used, namely a flange 46 which is carried by the post 42 for the collar 43 to bear upon. Insulator hangers 47 provided with the arms 48 are supported by means of wires 50 which are secured to said arms bv means ot bolts or other suitable meansv lines and cross lines without any difliculty.

The hangers lao In this way r"in-entire city may be equipped with an 'aerialfrailway, that will be even more elicient than the-form'of conveyances now commonly in use, as there will be no heavy traiiic for the conveyances to become mixed in, thereby causing delay in transportation, or at any rate accidents.

lIn addition to the form of trackintersection, I have devised what may be termed a turntable, to direct the vehicle in various directions when it is'desired,'that is, the turntable may be installed at various intervals along the line to switch a vehicle, and one may be used at the starting junction to advantage. An annular housing or frame 53 is supported by'ineans of brackets and 55. The bracket 55 is providedwith depending arms 56. which will more fully be discussed below. 4The bracketf is pro-` vided with a vertical shaft 57, which is provided near its lower end with' a beveled gear 58. The numeral 59 designates lalongitudinal shaft, that is provided with a small beveled 'gear thatis adapted to mesh with the large beveled'gear 53 on -the shaft'?.4

The oppositeend of the shaft 59 is provided with a wheel`61 which isadapted to run around the-upper edge ofthe .housing 53.

Mounted within the housing 53 are the cross members 62, which are` carried by theshafts 59 by means of suitable supporting clips 63. As is clearly shown Ain the drawings, lthe cross sections '62 are provided with cut out portions 64, to allow' for the frame of the vehicle to pass therebetween. Thebottom of the` cross sections 62 are lprovidedwith track members 65 on both sides thereof-as is clearly shownjin Fig. 5 ofthe drawings. The numeral 66 designates` pivotedj track sections which are secured, near" the inner end ofthe trackportions'65 by means vof Vsuitable bolts or other4 pivoting` means 6T.

The pivoted track sections `66v are normally heldv in a vertical position by. means of a suitable spring 68,v and it will beseenpthat when the wheel .34 strikes the section, it will pull it down `into horizontal jpositiontherebv spanning the openingVr 64 `and allowing the wheels to pass on.` As soon as the wheel 34 passes over the endv of thepivoted section 66 the spring 68 will raiseitl again to a vertical position, so that Yit will be lout 'of the wayif it is desired to swingT anv of the other pivoted track ,sections 66 down into an operative position. l i i y It is to be noted in r1g..6 of the drawings, that the depending arms 56l of the .bracket '55 are fastened to the'cross. vane 62 so as to give additional'strength. lingsxtiQ'are mounted on the annular housing 53 adjacent thev openings'70 in said housing which are adaptedio register with the-openings 64:v

Jformed in the cross sect-'ions .62. Thefwings are also provided with track sections 71a`nd a pivoted track section 72 similar to the ing the vehicle', to be run down'toftheI groundto` discharge passengers orto-take/on-,the

"saine, or for repairs whenit. is necessary.

As' isshown lin Fig. 7, the track v73 maybe mounted on a' post'74. N

'pivoted track section `66. The tracks' are v vadapted to be" connected to the track sections 71 oi the wings 69. Asis clearly ,shown in It is of course necessary to yprovide means whereby the cross members 62 in ay be rotated withinthe casing 53, and Ihave devised rrneans whereby 'it vcan be done'imechanically or electrically. InFig. 5 of the drawings'on the-letthand side I have illustrated an electric motor which maybe yused to rotate the cross niembersQ. A: kpulley wheel 75 is .mounted on the" shaft591andk f.

over which is adapted to be yrun. a pulley belt 76 which is operated. by thepulley77' of themotor 78. Itv will thus be seenthat when the motorl 7S is run the pulley 75 'by reason 'of the pulley belt 7 6 will'be rotated thereby rotating the shaft 59 lwhich will,

rotate the pinion y60 whichmeshes with the` large gear 58. It'isof course to be under- `stood that the gear 58 isv stationary` and f thereby` allowing the pinion 60 Eto? rotate Varound the same, carrying with "it the shaft 59 and the wheel 6l which vv"will runalong thel top edge of vthe housing 53. @If it iswnot lconvenient to have electricity', a `starting wheel A79 be mounted on the shaft-59 as clearly yshown on the right Vhand 'side'of the drawings in liig. 5and along sprocket vchainBO adaptedto run thereover, :in such A,a manner that when lthe sprocketchain is lmoved the sprocket wheel l7 9 will Imove likewise causing the wheel 61'toz`ride around 'the top of the housin'g-53; f y A Itis of course to` be understood that street cars, that 'are'adapted to be used on'an aerial cable, ymay. be, used in accordance with my invention equally well as an automobile as illustrated, and to this end,`-I"have pro- In the operation Vof an aerial system as'Vl lhave fully described, an automobile ymaybe equipped. with 'fan' apparatus', as isjrclearly shown in the drawings. "With suchacon- @struction the yvehicle (may be'propelled on a cable or other track 37`by its ownA ypower,-

that isthe power that` is ordinarly used lin such conveyancesfywhen it runs on the" ground. In otherwords, aplatejsimila'r to theplate 13 as shownin Fig. 3 ofthe 'drawings is clamped. lonthe 'rear wheels 11b-'y means lof suitable boltsor'" hooks-I3.

sprocket wheel 1'8 lis 'nia-dei' iategrairthera with and thereby the rotation of the wheels 11 which carry the plate 13 will rotate the sprocket wheel 18. It will of course be seen that it is not necessary to use sprocket wheels or chains, as a form of pitman could be used equally as satisfactorily, but I will explain the form wherein sprocket wheels and sprocket chains are used. The sprocket wheel 18 is adapted to rotate the sprocket chain 29 which runs over the sprocket wheel 28 which is carriedr by the shaft 24, which is journaled between the vertical frame members 19 and 22 which are carried by the shaft 17 which are carried by the plate 13. The rotation of the sprocket wheel 28 rotates the shaft 24 on which is carried a sprocket wheel 35 which operates a sprocket chain 36 which rims over a similar sprocket wheel 33 which is carried by the shaft 32, which is mounted between the arms 31 and 30 of the U-shaped frame member, which is carried by the upright member 19. It will thus be seen that the wheel 311 which is keyed to the shaft 32 will be rotated, thereby propelling the vehicle along the cable or other form of track 36. As shown in Figs. 4 and 8 of the drawings, I. have clearly illustrated a form vof track intersection which may be used, the operation of which is clearly understood from the foregoing description.

As is clearly shown yin Fig. 7 of kthe drawings, an efficient method is devised whereby the bodies or vehicles 10 may be lowered so as to discharge or take on passengers or the like. It will clearly be seen that the track 73 is an inclined track leading from the wing 69 which is carried by the housing 53 of the turn table structure. The track 73 is connected at its other end to a comparatively short post 74, some distance away from said turn table structure. There may be as many tracks 73 as is deemed advisable, and of course in a large system of aerial transportation it would be necessary to have a great many such tracks as is clearly shown in Fig. 7 but the explanation of one will suiiice for the others. We will now assume that there is a vehicle such as is illustrated by the numeral 10 in Fig. 1 of the drawings, located on the lower end of the inclined track 73. This vehicle is propelled up the inclined track 7 3 onto the track portion 71 which is carried by the wing 69 of the housing 53, of the turn table structure. Of course, if it is desired to run the conveyance on to the track 73 and not to change the course of the conveyance, it is not necessary that the conveyance be stopped and run on to the turn table mechanism. However, assuming that it is desired to turn the automobile in the opposite direction to which it is now pointed. It is of course. to be understood that we are now discussing the left hand wing 69. After the `conveyance has run up the track section 73 onto the track 71 and is kept moving it will strike the vertical track section 72 causing it to fall down and close the gap and allow the car to pass onto the track of the cross sections 62 within the casing 63.r

It will also strike the pivoted track section 66, which is pivoted to one section 65 causing it to swing down and rest on the opposite track section 55. Theconveyance can now be stopped,` and by operating the. sprocket chain 8O over thesprocket wheel 79 the cross section 62 can be made to turn by reason of the wheel 61 running around the upper edge of the annular casing 53 which is caused by means of the sprocket wheel 79 keyed to the shaft 59 which is provided with the beveled gear 60 at its opposite end. The beveled gear 60 meshes with the stationary beveled gear 58 which acts as a support lfor the cross section 62. The cross section 62 may be rotated as far as is desired, and the conveyance may be switched back onto any of the outgoing tracks with very little difficulty'. This, instead of. having an automobile as shown in the drawings, a street car is used, 1t is necessary to provide a trolley wire 8l which is clearly shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings as being broken at 82 to allow the same to be carried by the cross section 62 when the same is rotated. In the event it is possible to have electricity the cross section 62 may be rotated by means of a motor 78 which operates the pulley belt 76 `over the pulley wheel 75 which is keyed to the shaft 59. By the use of this turn table structure, a conveyance may be dispatched in various directions thereby forming a more satisfactory system, than if such a turn table were not in use. It is of course to be understood, that the turn table structures may be placed at intervals along the system to advantage, and that any form of track may be used, such as a cable 37. 0r if it is deemed advisable, various other forms of track sections. It may be deemed advisable to use a form of rack har and pinion, especially on the inclined track 73.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as the preferred embodiment of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus fully described my invention what I claim is 1. In combination with an elevated railway, an annular housing, a rotatable turn table mounted within said annular housing, said turn table member comprising two intersecting sections, said vintersecting sections being provided with cut out portions at their intersections, and pivoted track sections carried by the lower end of said cross sections.

2. In combination with an elevated rail way, a turn table comprising an annular housing, cross turn table sections mounted 'within said annular housing, wings carried on the outside of said annular housing, openings in said wings, and pivoted track sect-ions adapted to be normally held in a Vertical position.

3. In combination with an elevated railway, a turn table comprising an annular housing, cross turn table sections mounted within said annular housing, said cross sections beingprovided with cut out portions near the lower end thereof, pivoted track sections mounted in close proximity to said cut out portions and adapted to be swun down to span said cut out portions, trac sections carried by the lower end of said cross sections, means carrled on the outs ide of said annular housing, cut out por-` I tions belng provlded 1n said annular housing in close'proximity to said wings, and means to rotate said cross turn table sections. v

4. In combination with an elevated railway, a turn table comprising an annular housing, a cross .turn vtable .member mounted within said annular housing, `means to rotate said cross turn table section, and an inclined track carried by said annular housing.

In testimony whereof I alix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

. GUSTAF SAUVOLA. Witnesses: Y f

F. M. FRANoIsoovIoH, A. W. NORBLAD.

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