Appeal No. 2001-2566 Page 2
Application No. 09/655,092
improved vehicle/roadway interaction allowing steeper roadway
grade, improved roadway lifetime, reduced construction and
maintenance expense, higher vehicle acceleration and
deceleration and a smoother vehicle ride (specification, page
1). Claims 1 and 12, the only independent claims on appeal,
read as follows:
1. Apparatus for the interface of a vehicle wheel
and roadway, said roadway being supported in a
substantially fixed position with respect to the
Earth by a support means, said apparatus being
apparatus for achieving superior traction between
said wheel and said roadway independently of the
weight of said vehicle, and for minimizing
oscillation of said wheel upon said roadway, said
apparatus comprising:
said roadway having at least substantially
vertical and concave sides;
a plurality of at least substantially horizontal
wheels rotating about at least substantially
vertical axles secured to said vehicle, said wheels
having convex rims rolling along said concave sides
of said roadway; and
a compression means, connected to said wheels,
for causing said wheels to be compressed against
said sides of said roadway with compression adequate
to allow a desired amount of traction to be
maintained between said wheels and said roadway,
independently of said weight of said vehicle.
12. Apparatus for the interface of a vehicle wheel
and roadway, said roadway being supported in a
substantially fixed position with respect to the
Earth by a support means, said apparatus being
apparatus for achieving superior traction between
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