John E Bruns

US Patent:

7441506, Oct 28, 2008

Filed:

Apr 30, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/119507

Inventors:

John H. Bruns - Mercer Island WA, US

International Classification:

B61B 1/00

US Classification:

104 89, 104118

Abstract:

Generally and not exclusively, there is disclosed a system and a method for towing (pushing or pulling) a roadway vehicle on a road by a towing apparatus. The towing apparatus is coupled to a roadway guideway displaced generally above the surface of the roadway. In an embodiment, the system includes an apparatus to couple a vehicle to the roadway guideway, a force generation unit to move the coupled vehicle along the roadway guideway, and a brake unit to decelerate the apparatus and a coupled vehicle. In an embodiment, the system includes a coupling unit to separately couple or not couple the vehicle to one of multiple separate components of the roadway guideway, so that the towing apparatus, and therefore a towed vehicle, can switch roadway guideways by coupling to one or another component of the roadway guideway.

US Patent:

20090090267, Apr 9, 2009

Filed:

Sep 16, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/283938

Inventors:

John H. Bruns - Mercer Island WA, US

International Classification:

B61B 1/00

US Classification:

104 89

Abstract:

Generally and not exclusively, there is disclosed a system and a method for towing (pushing or pulling) a roadway vehicle on a road by a towing apparatus. The towing apparatus is coupled to a roadway guideway displaced generally above a roadway surface. In an embodiment, the system includes an apparatus to couple a vehicle to the roadway guideway, a force generation unit to move the coupled vehicle along the roadway guideway, and a brake unit to decelerate the apparatus and a coupled vehicle. In an embodiment, the system includes a coupling unit to separately couple or not couple the vehicle to one of multiple roadway guideways. In an embodiment, the towing apparatus includes a capability to yaw the vehicle to a determined position by yawing the structure that engages the vehicle to the towing apparatus.

US Patent:

46402144, Feb 3, 1987

Filed:

Jan 18, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/692770

Inventors:

John H. Bruns - Mercer Island WA

International Classification:

B63B 3544

US Classification:

114263

Abstract:

A plurality of modules (66) are connected together to define a multi-story annular building (10) of honeycomb cells (C). The cells (C) of the building are hexagonal in cross section and taper horizontally as they extend radially inwardly. A turntable/elevator (36) is located in a shaft opening at or near the center of the building (10). A tunnel (48) extends through a side of the building (10). The building includes flotation cells at its bottom, some of which are air tight. Water is pumped into and out from the others, for regulating the vertical position of the building (10) in a body of water. An annular ring (66) of flotation material extends about the building (10) immediately below the water line. Each cell (C) is reinforced by a reinforcing ring (R1) extending about the girth of the cell (C). The rings (R1) are connected together vertically and horizontally to form a wall (RW1) of rings constituting a basic skeletal part of the building (10).

US Patent:

47263164, Feb 23, 1988

Filed:

Nov 20, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/934943

Inventors:

John H. Bruns - Mercer Island WA

International Classification:

B63B 3544

US Classification:

114263

Abstract:

A plurality of modules (66) are connected together to define a multi-story annular building (10) of honeycomb cells (C). The cells (C) of the building are hexagonal in cross section and taper horizontally as they extend radially inwardly. A turntable/elevator (36) is located in a shaft opening at or near the center of the building (10). A tunnel (48) extends through a side of the building (10). The building includes flotation cells at its bottom, some of which are air tight. Water is pumped into and out from the others, for regulating the vertical position of the building (10) in a body of water. An annular ring (66) of flotation material extends about the building (10) immediately below the water line. Each cell (C) is reinforced by a reinforcing ring (R1) extending about the girth of the cell (C). The rings (R1) are connected together vertically and horizontally to form a wall (RW1) of rings constituting a basic skeletal part of the building (10).