Train system with variably tilting rail

Claim 1

In a train system, the combination that comprises (a) a train car, (b) a support for the car adapted to be guided along a rail having variable angular tilt along its length and relative to horizontal, whereby the support assumes the tilt of the rail, (c) a gimbal coupled between the car and support to accommodate rotation of the support relative to the car as the car travels lengthwise of and along the rail, whereby the car remains upright despite variable tilting of the rail along which the car travels, (d) the gimbal including at least one gimbal unit having an axis in alignment with the car, the gimbal also including a ring rotatably carried by a yoke, the ring attached to the car and rotatably guided by the yoke which is carried by the support, (e) a drive system operatively coupled to the ring to effect rotation thereof in response to progressively changing tilt of the support as the car travels along the rail, and (f) including said rail on which the support is carried, said rail having T-shaped cross section that twists and becomes inverted along its length about a length axis defined by the rail, (g) and including a hinge associated with the support and located between said rail and said gimbal unit axis to accommodate pivoting of the car about a transverse axis relative to the rail.