US 6,550,396 B2 · Guide wheel assembly

Abstract

A guide wheel assembly, which can be pre-assembled as a single unit, is configured to be connectable to a guide frame of a rail guided vehicle. The guide wheel assembly generally includes a fixed component connectable to the guide frame and a rotating component rotatably supported on the fixed component by a bearing assembly. The elements of the fixed component, the rotating component and the bearing assembly are assembled on a shaft of the fixed component from a top or first end of the shaft. The shaft includes a support member secured at a second end of the shaft and configured to prevent the rotating component from detaching from the fixed component in the event of bearing failure.

Claims12

Dependent claims

A guide wheel assembly for a guide frame of a rail guided vehicle, comprising:

a shaft having a first end and a second end, with the shaft having an integrally formed flange located adjacent the second end of the shaft;
a sleeve positioned about the shaft, with the sleeve having a first end face and a second end face, and with the first end face configured for attachment to the guide frame of the rail guided vehicle;
a bearing positioned rotatably about the shaft and located axially between the flange and the second end face of the sleeve;
a rotating assembly positioned about the bearing and coupled to the shaft by the bearing, with the rotating assembly configured to cooperate with a vertical guide rail for guiding the rail guided vehicle;
and
support means connected to the second end of the shaft and configured to support the bearing and the rotating assembly in a vertical direction in the event of failure of the bearing.

3 more elements

A guide wheel assembly for a guide frame of a rail guided vehicle, comprising:

a shaft having a first end and a second end, with the shaft having an integrally formed flange located adjacent the second end of the shaft;
a sleeve positioned about the shaft, with the sleeve having a first end face and a second end face, and with the first end face configured for attachment to the guide frame of the rail guarded vehicle;
a bearing positioned rotatably about the shaft and located axially between the flange and the second end face of the sleeve;
a rotating assembly positioned about the bearing and coupled to the shaft by the bearing, with the rotating assembly configured to cooperate with a vertical guide wheel for guiding the rail guided vehicle;
and
support means connected to the second end of the shaft and spaced vertically below and not contacting the rotating assembly, the support means supporting the bearing and the rotating assembly in a vertical direction in the event of failure of the bearing.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Guide wheel assembly

Life of this patent

Guide wheel assembly

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims12