EP0461957B1 - Device for closing at least one opening in the platform of a vehicle and vehicle fitted with this device - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a vehicle of the type comprising at least one platform and equipped with at least one device for closing at least one opening arranged in said platform at the right of at least some of the passages of the rolling members for , at least in certain height positions that the platform can take thanks to its suspension, allow each corresponding rolling member to partially engage therein.

This closing device applies more particularly but not exclusively to platforms of railway vehicles designed for the transport of automobiles.

As is known, the cross section of rail vehicles commonly known as wagons must in particular be part of a limit gauge which, integrating the vehicle load, is defined mainly in height and in width.

In fact, for these wagons loaded with motor vehicles, the concerns of manufacturers of railway equipment are mainly linked to the overall height.

To be able to transport the tallest vehicles, possibly on two levels, that is to say two superimposed platforms, it is known to locate the lower platform as close as possible to the rails.

For this reason, the manufacturers provide the right of the rolling bodies and in the thickness of the platform cutouts which each allow local housing and / or the passage of a part of rolling body in order to optimize the lowering of the platform.

The upper edges of these cutouts delimit in the upper face of the platform openings which, during the stopping of the platform, impede the movement of vehicles for their loading-unloading and during the circulation of the platform, allow the projection of particles, such as sparks, to equipment and in particular to cars loaded on these platforms, which risks damaging them.

To overcome this drawback, it is known (FR-A-1,253,081) to equip each opening with a closing device comprising a cover and its means of connection to the platform.

However, on the one hand, for an optimal gain in height, the running members are generally tangent to the plane of the upper face of the platform and, on the other hand, the platform is connected to the running members by a mechanism of damping, also, the closing devices must be constituted by a cover which envelops with play the part of the wheel inscribed in the cutout, so as to tolerate during the circulation of the platform the approach of this platform of the rails without generating friction between the surfaces facing the hood and the rolling member.

As a result, the hoods protrude from the upper face of the platform where the tracks of the vehicles carried by the equipped platform are located.

To avoid that, during the loading-unloading operations which take place during the stopping of the platform, these covers obstruct circulation, it is known to associate them with the said platform via four independent elastic members arranged two at the front and two at the rear of the covers for, when the vehicles pass, authorizing their erasure under the plane of the track so that the said vehicles can circulate there easily.

In particular, when a vehicle passes, each cover disappears until it abuts the rolling member to the right of which it is located.

These elastic members each consisted, for example, of a rod, one end of which was associated with the platform and on which a corner of the cover and a spring were threaded with play, the free end of the rod also having a spring stop head. .

These rods only ensured relative positioning, too, this type of closure device was criticized for being too free and in particular for a more marked possibility of descent not only from one longitudinal end relative to the other, which n 'is not annoying but also on one side relative to the other which causes accidental jamming, which jamming induce short-term destruction of the cover by friction against the rolling member.

In order to remedy this, we know (FR-1,253,081) a cover made of two elements which are supported by elastic members only in their overlap zone and which, along their opposite front edge, are articulated just at the level from the corresponding edge of the cutout, around a horizontal axis parallel to the axle.

This axis is for this purpose carried by a yoke, integral with the platform, and by stiffeners, carried by the elements of the cover.

If this improves the guidance, it complicates the assembly without eliminating the risks of the spring jamming given the short distance between the axis and the fulcrum of the springs and therefore the large deflection presented by the displacement arc of the head of the spring during articulation around the axis.

A result which the invention aims to obtain is a vehicle of the type comprising at least one platform and equipped with at least one closing device which overcomes this drawback.

To this end, the subject of the invention is a vehicle of the type comprising at least one platform and equipped with at least one closing device, which vehicle is mainly characterized in that between the edge associated with the articulation means and the axis, the guide mechanism comprises at least one arm secured to the cover and transferring said axis at a certain distance from the edge which carries it so that, counts given the amplitude of the cover's oscillating movement, when it is erased, the opposite edge of said cover is moved on a substantially straight path.

The invention also relates to railway vehicles equipped with the above-mentioned device.

The invention will be clearly understood on reading the description below made by way of nonlimiting example with reference to the attached drawing which schematically represents a view in longitudinal section of the device according to the invention.

Referring to the drawing, we see a railway vehicle designed for the transport of vehicles 2 such as automobiles.

It is specified that the aforementioned vehicle 1 is above all intended to constitute, with other similar vehicles, transport convoys.

The vehicle shown comprises at least one platform 3 which, on the one hand, towards its ends 4 comprises bearing members 5 such as wheels associated with axles and on the other hand, at its ends 4, means 6 for hooking with other rail vehicles.

The platform has a certain thickness E measured between its upper face 7 allowing at least locally the support and the bearing of vehicles to be transported and its lower face 8 facing the rails 9.

The platform 3 considered is of the lowered type, that is to say that it is, practically at any point, located as close as possible to the rails 9.

In order to optimize the lowering of said platform, the platform 3 comprises, throughout its entire thickness E, at the right of at least some of the rolling members 5 of the cutouts 10 which each allow housing and / or passage of a part of a rolling member 5.

• d'une part, un capot 14 qui, au moins pendant la circulation de la plateforme, enveloppe largement, c'est à dire avec un jeu notable, la partie de la roue inscrite dans la découpe, et de ce fait vient en saillie sur la face supérieure de la plateforme, et
• d'autre part, un mécanisme 15 de liaison de ce capot à la plateforme et autorisant l'effacement de ce capot 14 dans la découpe 10 lors du passage d'un véhicule roulant 2, puis le rappel élastique du dit capot 14 en position initiale dite haute.

The edges 11 of each cut 10 delimit in the upper face 7 of this platform an opening 12 at least partially closed by a closure device 13 comprising:

• on the one hand, a cover 14 which, at least during the circulation of the platform, largely envelopes, that is to say with significant play, the part of the wheel inscribed in the cutout, and therefore protrudes on the upper face of the platform, and
• on the other hand, a mechanism 15 for connecting this cover to the platform and authorizing the erasure of this cover 14 in the cutout 10 when a rolling vehicle 2 passes, then the elastic return of said cover 14 to the initial position said high.

Beyond the positioning, the link mechanism 15 provides real guiding of the cover in a direction D substantially perpendicular to the plane of the upper surface 7 of the platform 3.

To this end, the cover 14 is on the side of one of its front edges 23, 24 associated with at least one articulation means 17 which is, at least indirectly, secured to the platform and which is active around a axis 18 substantially horizontal and approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 19 of said platform.

Thanks to the articulation 17, one obviates any coincidence of the cover.

As shown, on the opposite side 23 to this articulation 17, the closure device 13 comprises a means 20 for elastic return of the hood in a position separated from the wheel which it overhangs.

According to an essential characteristic of the invention, between the said edge 24 associated with the articulation means and the axis 18, the guide mechanism 15 comprises at least one arm 16 secured to the cover and transferring the said axis 18 at a certain distance the edge 24 which carries it so that, taking into account the amplitude of the oscillation movement of the cover 14, when it is erased, the opposite edge 23 of the said cover is moved on a substantially straight path.

For example, the arm has a length L substantially equivalent to the dimension of the cover in the longitudinal direction, thus doubling the distance between the axis 18 and the edge 23 resiliently supported.

Preferably, each cover 14 is supported by two substantially parallel arms 16, each associated with one of the side faces of the cover.

The elastic return means 20 comprises at least one elastic member 21 which, on the one hand, develops a return action in a given direction and, on the other hand, is oriented to induce the return of the cover 14 in position separated from the member of rolling, after its actuation towards this organ.

This elastic return means 20 comprises at least one means 22 guiding the elastic member 21 in its effective direction of deformation.

Thanks to the articulation 17, it obviates any jamming of the cover.

For example, when the elastic member 21 consists of a spiral spring of compression or tension, its guide means 22 essentially consists of a straight rod 22 on which the spring is threaded.

As indicated above, the elastic return means 20 of the cover 14 is organized at the edge 23 of the cover which is opposite to that 24 beyond which extends the articulation arm 16.

The rod forming the guide means 22 of the return means 20 is carried by the lower face 8 of the platform and has, near its free end 26, a stop 25 on which the elastic compression member 21 which rests is placed. the stem.

The cover carries, at least indirectly, at least one part 27 slidingly mounted on the aforementioned rod 22 and which bears against the end 28 of the elastic member 21 opposite to that which rests on the stop 25 carried by the free end 26 of the rod and this sliding part 27 with a large clearance on said rod.

Preferably, the elastic return means 20 of each cover comprises two rectilinear rods of the aforementioned type and substantially parallel.

According to a characteristic of the invention, the part 27 slidingly mounted on the rod is carried by the cover via at least one arm 16a which further increases the distance between the axis 18 and the elastic members 20.

Preferably, each aforementioned arm 16a is constituted by an extension of an arm 16 which connects the cover 14 to its articulation means 17.

• le capot 14 est constitué d'une part, d'une paroi 29 sensiblement courbe dont le profil suit globalement celui de l'organe de roulement qu'il coiffe et déterminant une face supérieure et une face inférieure et d'autre part, de deux flancs 30 approximativement parallèles entre eux et situés chacun dans un plan globalement perpendiculaire à la face supérieure 7 de la plateforme 3,
• la découpe 10 dans laquelle s'inscrit ce capot 14, selon sa section transversale, comporte quant à elle d'une part, deux bords opposés qui sont chacun sensiblement parallèle à l'un des flancs 30 du capot et éloigné de ces derniers et, d'autre part, deux autres bords frontaux surplombant la face supérieure du capot et dont au moins l'un d'eux constitue une butée d'appui du dit capot pour limiter son déplacement dans la découpe, sous l'action du moyen élastique.

In a preferred embodiment:

• the cover 14 consists on the one hand, of a substantially curved wall 29 whose profile generally follows that of the rolling member which it covers and determining an upper face and a lower face and on the other hand, two sides 30 approximately parallel to each other and each located in a plane generally perpendicular to the upper face 7 of the platform 3,
• the cutout 10 in which this cover 14 is inscribed, along its cross section, for its part comprises, on the one hand, two opposite edges which are each substantially parallel to one of the sides 30 of the cover and distant from the latter and, on the other hand, two other front edges overhanging the upper face of the cover and at least one of which constitutes a bearing stop for said cover to limit its movement in the cutout, under the action of the elastic means.

Claims (9)

1. A vehicle, of the type comprising at least one platform, in particular a railway vehicle, and provided with at least one closing device (13), with at least one opening (12) resulting from a cutting (10) made in the said platform (3), through the thickness of this platform measured between its upper surface (7) and lower surface (8), to enable a part of an antifriction bearing (5) to be housed and/or to pass through, the said closing device (13) comprising, on the one hand, a cap (14) which by covering loosely, i.e with considerable clearance, the part of the wheel (5) fitted into the cutting (10) causes a projection on the upper surface of the platform and, on the other hand, a device (15) connecting to the platform and enabling the cap (14) to be pushed down into the cutting (10) under the plane of the upper surface (7) resulting from action exerted upon the cap, as is caused by the wheel of a vehicle (2) moving on the said upper surface (7) and enabling moreover the said cap (14) to be returned resiliently to its starting position,
   in addition to the positioning, the linking device (15) ensures actual control of the cap in one direction (D) substantially perpendicular to the plane of the upper surface (7) of the platform (3),
   for this purpose the cap (14) is associated on the side of one of its frontal edges (23, 24) with at least one means (17) of articulation which is, at least indirectly, rigidly connected to the platform and which moves about an axis (18) which lies substantially horizontal and approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (19) of the said platform,
   on the opposite side (23) of this joint (17), the closing device (13) comprises a means (20) of resiliently returning the cap to a position separated from the wheel over which it hangs,
   the said closing device (13) being characterised in that between the said edge (24) associated with the means of articulation and the axis (18), the control device (15) comprises at least one arm (16) rigidly connected to the cap and carrying back the said axis (18) to a certain distance from the edge (24) which supports it in such a way that, taking into consideration the range of the vibration of the cap (14) when pushed down, the opposite edge (23) of the said cap is moved onto an approximately rectilinear path.
2. A vehicle acccording to Claim 1, characterized in that the length (L) of the arm (16) is substantially equivalent to the size of the cap in the longitudinal direction.
3. A vehicle acccording to Claim 1 or 2 comprising a resilient return means (20) using at least one resilient device (21) which, on the one hand, develops a returning action in a given direction and, on the other hand, is adjusted to cause the cap (14) to be returned to a position separated from the antifriction bearing structure, alter the operation thereof towards this device, characterized in that the resilient return means (20) comprises at least one means (22) controlling the resilient device (21).
4. A vehicle according to Claim 3, characterized in that the rod forming the control means (22) of the return means (20) is carried by the lower surface (8) of the platform and has near its free end (26) a stop (25) on which the resilient compressing device rests (21) which is arranged on the rod.
5. A vehicle according to Claim 4, characterized in that the cap carries, at least indirectly, at least one part (27) assembled so as to slide on the rod (22) and which rests against the end (28) of the resilient device (21) opposite to that which rests on the stop (25) carried by the free end (26) of the rod and this part (27) sliding with a wide clearance on the said rod.
6. A vehicle according to Claim 5, characterized in that the part (27) mounted so as to slide on the rod is carried by the cap via at least one arm (16a).
7. A vehicle according to Claim 6, characterized in that each arm (16a) comprises an extension of an arm (16) which connects the cap (14) to its means (17) of articulation.
8. A vehicle according to any one of the Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the cutting (10) in which this cap (14) is fitted, comprises, for its part, with respect to its cross section, two opposing edges which are each substantially parallel to one of the sides (30) of the cap and at a distance therefrom, on the one hand, and two other frontal sides (33, 34) overhanging the upper surface of the cap and at least one of which comprises a support stop of the said cap to restrict its movement in the cutting by the action of the resilient means, on the other hand.
9. A railway vehicle of the type comprising at least one platform equipped with at least one closing device, characterised according to any one of Claims 1 to 8.

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