Method and apparatus for controlling the movement of a vehicle along a prescribed path

Abstract

A vehicle path controller has a plurality of cylindrical support rollers arranged in section(s) with each roller axis (of rotation) substantially parallel to and along the prescribed path. An entrance ramp is positioned adjacent the initial roller section and facilitates the driving of the vehicle onto same. The rollers are rotatably connected to framework and are conveniently arranged in two separate paths, one path for the left wheels and one path for the right wheels. Guide rollers are also connected to the framework but have an axis of rotation elevated with reference to the vehicle support rollers. The method of controlling the movement of a vehicle along a prescribed path comprises the steps of: Moving a vehicle on said prescribed path having a plurality of rollers supporting substantially the weight of the vehicle, Guiding the advancing end of the vehicle on said roller path, and Laterally shifting the trailing end of the vehicle on said roller path to maintain said vehicle movement along a prescribed path.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.