Dual mode transportation system and method
First Claim
1. A transportation system for use on an expressway having first and second lanes comprising a lead expressway vehicle adapted for travel on the expressway, a passenger expressway vehicle separate from the lead vehicle having land-engaging wheels and adapted for picking up passengers from stops and means for coupling the passenger vehicle to the lead vehicle while the lead vehicle and the passenger vehicle are traveling on the expressway so that the passenger vehicle travels with the lead vehicle on the expressway.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A transportation system for use on a roadway having first and second lanes. The system has a lead vehicle adapted for travel at high speeds on the roadway and a passenger vehicle adapted for travel at high speeds on the roadway. Means for coupling the passenger vehicle to the lead vehicle while the lead vehicle and the passenger vehicle are traveling at high speeds on the roadway so that the passenger vehicle travels with the lead vehicle on the roadway is provided.
32 Citations
36 Claims
- 1. A transportation system for use on an expressway having first and second lanes comprising a lead expressway vehicle adapted for travel on the expressway, a passenger expressway vehicle separate from the lead vehicle having land-engaging wheels and adapted for picking up passengers from stops and means for coupling the passenger vehicle to the lead vehicle while the lead vehicle and the passenger vehicle are traveling on the expressway so that the passenger vehicle travels with the lead vehicle on the expressway.
- 10. A transportation system for use on a roadway comprising separate first and second rubber-tired vehicles adapted for travel on the roadway at variable speeds of up to at least speeds typical for highway vehicular travel and a coupling assembly for coupling said first and second vehicles to one another while the first vehicle is traveling at any of said highway variable speeds.
- 21. A transportation system for use on a roadway comprising first and second vehicles adapted for travel on the roadway at variable speeds of up to at least speeds typical for highway vehicular travel, a coupling assembly for coupling said first and second vehicles to one another while the first vehicle is traveling at any of said highway variable speeds and means carried by the first and second vehicles for permitting passasengers to be moved between the first and second vehicles when said first and second vehicles are coupled.
- 23. A transportation system for use on a roadway comprising first and second vehicles adapted for travel on the roadway at variable speeds of up to at least speeds typical for highway vehicular travel, a coupling assembly for coupling said first and second vehicles to one another while the first vehicle is traveling at any of said highway variable speeds and means carried by the first and second vehicles for permitting freight to be moved between the first and second vehicles when said first and second vehicles are coupled.
- 25. A transportation system for use on an expressway comprising separate first and second expressway vehicles adapted for travel on the expressway at variable speeds of up to at least speeds typical for expressway vehicular travel and a coupling assembly for coupling said first and second vehicles to one another while the first vehicle is traveling at any of said expressway speeds.
- 31. A method for coupling first and second expressway vehicles to one another during travel on an expressway by the use of coupling assemblies carried by said first and second vehicles, the method comprising the steps of operating the first vehicle at a substantially constant velocity on the expressway, operating and positioning the second vehicle behind the first vehicle, accelerating the second vehicle until the coupling assemblies contact one another and coupling said first and second vehicles together by securing said assemblies to one another.
Specification