EP4316940A1 - Wagon structure for transporting containers - Google Patents

Abstract

The subject of the present invention is a structure (101) of a goods transport wagon arranged to receive at least two bogies in order to be able to run on railway rails, comprising at least: - a central longitudinal beam (102) comprising at least one box (106), - a first and a second coupling platform (103, 104) comprising at least one box (118) and each being fixed to one of the longitudinal ends of said central beam (102), and- a plurality of longitudinal supports (105) fixed opposite each side of said central beam (102) and distributed along the latter between said first and second coupling platforms (103, 104 ).

Description

Technical field of the invention

The present invention relates to the general field of goods transport wagons and, more particularly, to an articulated or non-articulated wagon structure intended to support road trailers or containers.

State of the art

In the field of transport of goods by rail, it is known to use wagons having a flat area for supporting road trailers or containers and comprising a structure consisting, in a conventional manner, of a central longitudinal part provided at each of its ends of a coupling platform, and fixing supports fixed opposite each side of said central longitudinal part and distributed along the latter between said coupling platforms, the faces upper parts of the coupling platforms, the central longitudinal part and the fixing supports determining said flat area. These wagons also include two bogies on which said structure rests at the level of the coupling platforms.

However, for road trailers or containers of great length, it is known to use articulated wagons having a flat area to support said road trailers or containers and comprising a median articulation to facilitate their movement. Thus, these wagons then comprise two structures each consisting, in a conventional manner, of a central longitudinal part provided at its ends with a coupling platform and an articulation platform, and fixing supports fixed in screws. opposite either side of said central longitudinal part and distributed along the latter between said coupling and articulation platforms, the upper faces of the coupling and articulation platforms, of the central longitudinal part and fixing supports determining said flat area. These articulated wagons also include three bogies on which said structures rest at the level of the coupling and articulation platforms.

These types of known wagons, articulated or not, which are disclosed for example in European patent applications EP 3 800 105 or Russian UK 190,680 , are certainly effective, but they nevertheless have the major disadvantage of being heavy and rigid, and of being long and expensive to manufacture, taking into account the large number of parts to be assembled by welding for their manufacture, the structure of the latter being conventionally of non-standardized trellis type.

Due to their rigidity and their weight, these types of articulated or unknown wagons also have the following disadvantages: generate significant wear on the tread of their axles, emit a high noise level when moving on the rails, and have a somewhat limited loading capacity.

Summary of the invention

The aim of the present invention is therefore to overcome the drawbacks mentioned above and to propose an alternative to known goods transport wagons, this alternative having a structure comprising a reduced number of parts and being less rigid and simpler and lighter, said structure can thus be manufactured and implemented more easily, quickly and economically. Furthermore, this alternative also allows standardization of manufacturing regardless of the type and length of the wagon.

• une poutre centrale longitudinale comportant au moins un caisson,
• une première et une deuxième plateformes d'attelage comportant au moins un caisson et étant fixées chacune à l'une des extrémités longitudinales de ladite poutre centrale, et
• une pluralité de supports longitudinaux fixés en vis-à-vis de part et d'autre de ladite poutre centrale et répartis le long de cette dernière entre lesdites première et deuxième plateformes d'attelage, ladite structure étant remarquable en ce que chacune des première et une deuxième plateformes d'attelage comporte au moins un caisson en partie fermé, ce dernier étant formé par au moins:
• une paroi supérieure ayant une section transversale en forme de U inversé et comprenant une portion horizontale en forme générale de rectangle et deux bords tombés s'étendant chacun verticalement vers le bas de la structure depuis l'un des bords longitudinaux de ladite portion horizontale, et
• une paroi inférieure horizontale en forme générale de rectangle et fixée entre les deux bords tombés de paroi supérieure de sorte que ces derniers s'étendant avantageusement au-delà de ladite paroi inférieure, lesdites parois supérieure et inférieure formant alors ledit caisson, la hauteur de chacune des première et deuxième plateformes d'attelage étant égale à la hauteur aux extrémités longitudinales du caisson correspondant de poutre central.

In accordance with the invention, there is therefore proposed a structure of a goods transport wagon arranged to receive at least two bogies in order to be able to run on railway rails, comprising at least:

• a central longitudinal beam comprising at least one box section,
• a first and a second coupling platform comprising at least one box and each being fixed to one of the longitudinal ends of said central beam, and
• a plurality of longitudinal supports fixed opposite each side of said central beam and distributed along the latter between said first and second coupling platforms, said structure being remarkable in that each of the first and a second coupling platform comprises at least one partially closed box, the latter being formed by at least:
• an upper wall having a cross section in the shape of an inverted U and comprising a horizontal portion in the general shape of a rectangle and two fallen edges each extending vertically towards the bottom of the structure from one of the longitudinal edges of said horizontal portion, and
• a horizontal lower wall in the general shape of a rectangle and fixed between the two fallen edges of the upper wall so that the latter advantageously extend beyond said lower wall, said upper and lower walls then forming said box, the height of each of the first and second coupling platforms being equal to the height at the longitudinal ends of the corresponding central beam box.

Advantageously, each of the first and second coupling platforms comprises a crosspiece in the general shape of a tube made up of at least two vertical cores parallel to each other, arranged transversely between the upper and lower walls, and connecting the latter to each other.

• une aile supérieure horizontale et en forme générale de rectangle allongé, c'est-à-dire que sa forme est inscrite dans un rectangle allongé,
• une aile inférieure comprenant une paroi médiane basse horizontale, deux parois d'extrémités hautes horizontales et deux parois inclinées reliant chacune la paroi médiane à l'une des parois d'extrémités, et
• deux âmes verticales parallèles entre elles et reliant l'aile supérieure à l'aile inférieure de sorte que lesdites ailes supérieure et inférieure s'étendent au-delà desdites deux âmes,

ladite aile supérieure comportant une pluralité de rebords longitudinaux disposés en vis-à-vis le long de chacun de ses faces longitudinales verticales, chaque rebord longitudinal étant apte à former au moins une partie d'un des supports longitudinaux.Each box is preferably formed by at least:

• a horizontal upper wing in the general shape of an elongated rectangle, that is to say its shape is inscribed in an elongated rectangle,
• a lower wing comprising a low horizontal middle wall, two high horizontal end walls and two inclined walls each connecting the middle wall to one of the end walls, and
• two vertical webs parallel to each other and connecting the upper wing to the lower wing so that said upper and lower wings extend beyond said two webs,

said upper wing comprising a plurality of longitudinal edges arranged opposite each other along each of its vertical longitudinal faces, each longitudinal edge being capable of forming at least part of one of the longitudinal supports.

• une jambe de force globalement inclinée fixée entre le dessous de l'extrémité libre d'un des rebords longitudinaux de l'aile supérieure du caisson de la poutre centrale et l'aile inférieure dudit caisson,
• un voile de renfort fixé verticalement, au voisinage du milieu de la jambe de force, entre le dessous de l'aile supérieure, la face externe d'une des âmes verticales, le dessus de l'aile inférieure dudit caisson, et la face interne de ladite jambe de force.

According to an advantageous embodiment, each of the longitudinal supports comprises at least:

• a generally inclined strut fixed between the underside of the free end of one of the longitudinal edges of the upper wing of the box of the central beam and the lower wing of said box,
• a reinforcing web fixed vertically, near the middle of the strut, between the underside of the upper wing, the external face of one of the vertical webs, the top of the lower wing of said box, and the internal face of said strut.

• une première aile verticale fixée sur le dessus de l'aile inférieure du caisson de la poutre centrale,
• une deuxième aile verticale fixée sur le dessous de l'extrémité libre d'un des rebords de l'aile supérieure dudit caisson et
• une aile médiane inclinée reliant le dessus de ladite première aile verticale et le dessous de ladite deuxième aile verticale.

Said strut preferably has a zigzag-shaped cross section and comprises at least:

• a first vertical wing fixed on top of the lower wing of the box of the central beam,
• a second vertical wing fixed to the underside of the free end of one of the edges of the upper wing of said box and
• an inclined middle wing connecting the top of said first vertical wing and the bottom of said second vertical wing.

Advantageously, the central longitudinal beam is articulated and comprises two boxes arranged in the extension of one another and connected together by an articulation platform arranged to receive a bogie in order to be able to roll on railway rails , said articulation platform being split into two parts, a male part and a female part connected together by articulation means.

• une paroi supérieure horizontale en forme générale de rectangle,
• une paroi inférieure horizontale en forme générale de rectangle, et
• deux parois verticales parallèles entre elles et reliant la paroi supérieure à la paroi inférieure de sorte que lesdites parois supérieure et inférieure s'étendent au-delà desdites deux parois verticales, la hauteur de chacune desdites parties mâle et femelle étant égale à la hauteur aux extrémités longitudinales de son caisson correspondant

According to a particular embodiment, the end of each of the male and female parts of the articulation platform has a general shape of a partly closed box, the latter being formed by at least:

• a horizontal upper wall in the general shape of a rectangle,
• a horizontal lower wall in the general shape of a rectangle, and
• two vertical walls parallel to each other and connecting the upper wall to the lower wall so that said upper and lower walls extend beyond said two vertical walls, the height of each of said male and female parts being equal to the height at the ends longitudinal sections of its corresponding box

The end of each of the male and female parts of the articulation platform advantageously comprises a crosspiece in the general shape of a tube made up of at least two vertical cores parallel to each other, arranged transversely between the upper and lower walls, and connecting the latter between them.

Each of said male and female parts is also formed by the end of the associated box, opposite the first or second coupling platform, said end being such that the upper and lower wings of said box each comprise a protrusion extending horizontally and shaped to be fixed respectively at the end and in the extension of the upper and lower walls of the corresponding end of said male and female parts, the vertical cores of the box then extending to the end of said protrusions.

Advantageously, said protrusions are closed at least partly on the periphery by two angles so that the entire protrusions - angles form a box.

Brief description of the figures

• [Fig 1] est une vue en perspective d'une structure de wagon de transport de marchandises conforme à l'invention,
• [Fig 2] est une vue en perspective de la poutre centrale de la structure de la figure 1,
• [Fig 3] est une vue de détail agrandie de la poutre centrale de la figure 2,
• [Fig 4] est une vue en coupe transversale de la poutre centrale de la figure 2 selon l'axe IV-IV',
• [Fig 5] est une vue en coupe transversale de la structure de la figure 1 selon l'axe V-V',
• [Fig 6] est une vue en perspective d'une plateforme d'attelage de la structure de la figure 1,
• [Fig 7] est une vue en coupe transversale de la plateforme d'attelage de la figure 5 selon l'axe VII-VII',
• [Fig 8] est une vue en coupe longitudinale de la plateforme d'attelage de la figure 5 selon l'axe VIII-VIII',
• [Fig 9] est une vue en perspective d'un support latéral de la structure de la figure 1,
• [Fig 10] est une vue en perspective d'une variante articulée de la structure de wagon de transport de marchandises conforme à l'invention,
• [Fig 11] est une vue en perspective d'une plateforme d'articulation de la structure de la figure 8,
• [Fig 12] est une vue en coupe longitudinale de la plateforme d'articulation de la figure 9 selon l'axe XII-XII'.
• [Fig 13] est une vue en perspective d'un second mode de réalisation d'une structure de wagon de transport de marchandises conforme à l'invention,
• [Fig 14] est une vue en perspective de la poutre centrale de la structure de la figure 13,
• [Fig 15] est une vue en coupe transversale de la structure de la figure 13 selon l'axe XV-XV',
• [Fig 16] est une vue en perspective d'une plateforme d'attelage de la structure de la figure 13,
• [Fig 17] est une vue en coupe transversale de la plateforme d'attelage de la figure 16 selon l'axe XVII-XVII',
• [Fig 18] est une vue en coupe longitudinale de la plateforme d'attelage de la figure 16 selon l'axe XVIII-XVIII',
• [Fig 19] est une vue en perspective d'un support latéral de la structure de la figure 13,
• [Fig 20] est une vue en perspective d'une variante articulée du second mode de réalisation de la structure de wagon articulé de transport de marchandises conforme à l'invention,
• [Fig 21] est une vue en perspective agrandie d'une plateforme d'articulation de la structure de la figure 20,
• [Fig 22] est une vue en coupe longitudinale agrandie de la plateforme d'articulation de la figure 21 selon l'axe XXII-XXII',
• [Fig 23] est une vue de détail agrandie d'une extrémité de la poutre centrale de la structure de la figure 20.

Other advantages and characteristics will become clearer from the description which follows of a mode of execution of the invention, with reference to the appended figures in which:

• [Fig 1] is a perspective view of a goods transport wagon structure according to the invention,
• [Fig 2] is a perspective view of the central beam of the structure of the figure 1 ,
• [Fig 3] is an enlarged detail view of the central beam of the figure 2 ,
• [Fig 4] is a cross-sectional view of the central beam of the figure 2 along axis IV-IV',
• [Fig 5] is a cross-sectional view of the structure of the figure 1 along the axis V-V',
• [Fig 6] is a perspective view of a platform hitch of the structure of the figure 1 ,
• [Fig 7] is a cross-sectional view of the hitch platform of the figure 5 along axis VII-VII',
• [Fig 8] is a longitudinal sectional view of the hitch platform of the figure 5 along axis VIII-VIII',
• [Fig 9] is a perspective view of a side support of the structure of the figure 1 ,
• [Fig 10] is a perspective view of an articulated variant of the goods transport wagon structure according to the invention,
• [Fig 11] is a perspective view of an articulation platform of the structure of the figure 8 ,
• [Fig 12] is a longitudinal sectional view of the articulation platform of the Figure 9 along axis XII-XII'.
• [Fig 13] is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a goods transport wagon structure according to the invention,
• [Fig 14] is a perspective view of the central beam of the structure of the Figure 13 ,
• [Fig 15] is a cross-sectional view of the structure of the Figure 13 along axis XV-XV',
• [Fig 16] is a perspective view of a platform hitch of the structure of the Figure 13 ,
• [Fig 17] is a cross-sectional view of the hitch platform of the Figure 16 along axis XVII-XVII',
• [Fig 18] is a longitudinal sectional view of the hitch platform of the Figure 16 along the axis XVIII-XVIII',
• [Fig 19] is a perspective view of a side support of the structure of the Figure 13 ,
• [Fig 20] is a perspective view of an articulated variant of the second embodiment of the articulated freight transport wagon structure according to the invention,
• [Fig 21] is an enlarged perspective view of an articulation platform of the structure of the Figure 20 ,
• [Fig 22] is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the articulation platform of the Figure 21 along axis XXII-XXII',
• [Fig 23] is an enlarged detail view of one end of the central beam of the structure of the Figure 20 .

Description of embodiments

The present invention relates to a structure of a wagon for transporting goods such as, for example, containers, tanks, coils (English word designating a coil of sheet metal resulting from hot rolling), hoppers, or even logs . Furthermore, depending on the length of the wagon, the structure will be articulated or not. Thus, for wagons of length less than or equal to approximately 60 feet, the structure will be non-articulated, and for wagons of greater length, said structure will be articulated.

Thus, on the figures 1 to 7 , a structure 1 of a non-articulated freight transport wagon is shown, the structure 1 being intended, on the one hand, to support the goods and, on the other hand, to receive two bogies configured to roll on track rails railways, said bogies and goods not being shown in the figures, so as not to overload them.

• une poutre centrale 2 longitudinale,
• une première et une deuxième plateformes d'attelage 3, 4 étant fixées chacune à l'une des extrémités longitudinales de ladite poutre centrale 2, et
• une pluralité de supports longitudinaux 5 fixés en vis-à-vis de part et d'autre de ladite poutre centrale 2 et répartis le long de cette dernière entre lesdites première et deuxième plateformes d'attelage 3, 4.

Said structure 1 comprises at least:

• a central longitudinal beam 2,
• a first and a second coupling platforms 3, 4 each being fixed to one of the longitudinal ends of said central beam 2, and
• a plurality of longitudinal supports 5 fixed opposite each side of said central beam 2 and distributed along the latter between said first and second coupling platforms 3, 4.

• une aile supérieure 7 horizontale et en forme générale de rectangle allongé, c'est-à-dire que sa forme est inscrite dans un rectangle allongé,
• une aile inférieure 8 comprenant une paroi médiane 9 basse horizontale, deux parois d'extrémités 10 hautes horizontales et deux parois inclinées 11 reliant chacune la paroi médiane 9 à l'une des parois d'extrémités 10, et
• deux âmes 12 verticales parallèles entre elles et reliant l'aile supérieure 7 à l'aile inférieure 8 de sorte que lesdites ailes supérieure et inférieure 7, 8 s'étendent au-delà desdites deux âmes 12 verticales.

With reference to figures 2 to 4 , said central beam 2 comprises at least one partially closed box 6, the latter being formed by at least:

• an upper wing 7 horizontal and in the general shape of an elongated rectangle, that is to say that its shape is inscribed in an elongated rectangle,
• a lower wing 8 comprising a low horizontal middle wall 9, two high horizontal end walls 10 and two inclined walls 11 each connecting the middle wall 9 to one of the end walls 10, and
• two vertical cores 12 parallel to each other and connecting the upper wing 7 to the lower wing 8 so that said upper and lower wings 7, 8 extend beyond said two vertical cores 12.

Here we designate by "box" an element or part of an element comprising two substantially horizontal walls connected together by two substantially vertical walls so as to have a cross section in the general shape of a quadrilateral.

In addition, the term "substantially horizontal" or "substantially vertical" designates here elements or parts of elements making respectively an angle between -20 and +20° with the horizontal or the vertical.

The upper and lower wings 7, 8 and the cores 12 may be formed from several parts conventionally assembled by welding and be perforated without departing from the scope of the present invention.

With this configuration, it is clear that the box which is formed by the upper and lower wings 7, 8 and the two cores 12, allows the possible passage of electrical cables and/or the hydraulic and pneumatic circuit. Furthermore, this type of central box beam 2 is significantly more flexible than a lattice structure. Furthermore, with this configuration, the height of the central beam 2 is maximum at the level of the middle wall 9 of its lower wing 8 and minimum at the level of the end walls 10 of its lower wing 8. This configuration specific makes it possible to limit the weight of the central beam 2 while guaranteeing high mechanical resistance of the latter, so as to respect in particular the functional requirements resulting from freight transport standards (Definition of a maximum deflection for a given loading case ). Thus, thanks to its flexibility and its lightness, the box configuration of the central beam 2 makes it possible to improve the friendliness to the rail of a wagon provided with the structure 1 according to the invention and to reduce the wear of the strip axle rolling and noise emissions.

Furthermore, it is clearly understood that, in a conventional manner, the upper and lower wings 7, 8 and the two cores 12 are also linked together by a plurality of internal sails 13.

For obvious reasons of simplicity of manufacture and implementation, the upper wing 7, the middle wall 9, the end walls 10, the inclined walls 11 and the cores 12 are advantageously flat. However, it goes without saying that they may also not be flat without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Furthermore, with reference to figures 2 and 3 , according to an advantageous embodiment, the upper wing 7 comprises a plurality of longitudinal edges 14 arranged opposite each other along each of its vertical longitudinal faces 15, each longitudinal edge 14 being capable of receiving at least one part of one of the longitudinal supports 5. Each longitudinal rim 14 advantageously has a fillet 16 at the junction of each of its vertical lateral faces 17 with the corresponding vertical longitudinal face 15 of the upper wing 7, so as not to include any sharp angle and reduce mechanical stress concentrations.

Likewise, in order to reinforce the structure 1 at the junction between the central beam 2 and each of the first and second coupling platforms 3, 4, the longitudinal ends of the box 6, namely those of the upper wing 7 and the two end walls 10 of the lower wing 8, flare towards the outside of the box 6.

As described previously, said structure 1 also comprises first and second hitch platforms 3, 4 each fixed to one of the longitudinal ends of said central beam 2.

• une paroi supérieure 19 ayant une section transversale en forme de U inversé et comprenant une portion horizontale 20 en forme générale de rectangle et deux bords tombés 21 s'étendant chacun verticalement vers le bas de la structure 1 depuis l'un des bords longitudinaux de ladite portion horizontale 20, et
• une paroi inférieure 22 horizontale en forme générale de rectangle et fixée entre les deux bords tombés 21 de paroi supérieure 19 de sorte que ces derniers s'étendant avantageusement au-delà de ladite paroi inférieure 22, les parois supérieure et inférieure 19, 22 formant alors ledit caisson.

Thus, with reference to figures 6 to 8 , each of the first and second coupling platforms 3, 4 comprises at least one partially closed box 18, the latter being formed by at least:

• an upper wall 19 having an inverted U-shaped cross section and comprising a horizontal portion 20 in the general shape of a rectangle and two fallen edges 21 each extending vertically towards the bottom of the structure 1 from one of the longitudinal edges of said horizontal portion 20, and
• a horizontal lower wall 22 in the general shape of a rectangle and fixed between the two fallen edges 21 of the upper wall 19 so that the latter advantageously extend beyond said lower wall 22, the upper and lower walls 19, 22 then forming said box.

Furthermore, each of the first and second coupling platforms 3, 4 also comprises a crosspiece 24 in the general shape of a tube made up of at least two vertical cores 25 parallel to each other, arranged transversely between the upper and lower walls 19, 22, and connecting the latter together, said crosspiece 24 being arranged to allow the fixing of a bogie under the first coupling platform 3 or the second coupling platform 4 and to take up the associated mechanical forces, but also to allow possible passage electrical cables and/or the hydraulic and pneumatic circuit.

The upper and lower walls 19, 22 may be formed from several parts assembled conventionally by welding and be perforated without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The height of each of the first and second coupling platforms 3, 4 is relatively reduced and equal to the minimum height of the central beam 2, that is to say the height at the longitudinal ends of its box 6 at the level of the walls ends 10 of its lower wing 8. This configuration is interesting because it makes it possible to optimize the structure 1 according to the invention by significantly reducing its weight. Furthermore, with this configuration, each of the first and second coupling platforms 3, 4 is assembled on the central beam 2 and fixing its upper and lower walls 19, 22 respectively on and in the extension of the upper wing 7 and d one of the two end walls 10 of the lower wing 8 of said central beam 2.

Here we designate by "height of each of the first and second coupling platforms 3, 4" the overall dimension between their upper wall 19 and their lower wall 22.

Each of the first and second coupling platforms 3, 4 further comprises a housing 26 arranged on its lateral face located on the side opposite the central beam 2 of the structure 1, said recess 26 being arranged to receive a part a coupling making it possible to couple said structure 1 according to the invention to a structure 1 of an adjacent wagon or to a locomotive.

Furthermore, according to an advantageous embodiment, the horizontal portion 20 of the upper wall 19 of each of the first and second coupling platforms 3, 4 comprises a horizontal lateral rim 27 extending from its internal side face 28, it that is to say its lateral face located on the side of the central beam 2 of the structure 1, and in the direction of said central beam 2, said lateral rim 27 being able to allow the fixing of at least a part of said central beam 2, in particular the fixing of one of the longitudinal ends of the upper wing 7 of the latter. Each lateral rim 27 advantageously has a fillet 29 at the junction of each of its vertical side faces 30 with the internal side face 28 of the horizontal portion 20, in order not to have a sharp angle and to reduce the stress concentrations mechanical.

For the same reasons, the lower wall 22 of each of the first and second coupling platforms 3, 4 comprises a horizontal side rim 31 extending from its internal side face, that is to say its side face located on the side of the central beam 2 of the structure 1, and in the direction of said central beam 2, said lateral rim 31 being able to allow the fixing of at least a part of said central beam 2, in particular the fixing of one of the two end walls 10 of the lower wing 8 of the latter. Each side edge 31 advantageously has a fillet at the junction of each of its vertical side faces with the internal side face of the lower wall 22, in order not to have a sharp angle and to reduce the concentrations of mechanical stress.

Furthermore, it is clearly understood that, in a conventional manner, the upper and lower walls 19, 22 of each of the first and second coupling platforms 3, 4 are also linked together by a plurality of sails or interior reinforcements, not shown in the figures.

Each of the first and second coupling platforms 3, 4 further comprises a plurality of reinforcements 35 fixed on the horizontal portion 20 of its upper wall 19 facing along the longitudinal edges of said horizontal portion 20, each reinforcement 35 receiving one or more retractable pins 36 arranged to cooperate or not with the goods loaded on the structure 1, the number of reinforcements 35 and pins 36 varying depending on the desired loading configurations.

As described previously, said structure 1 finally comprises a plurality of longitudinal supports 5 fixed opposite each other of said central beam 2 and distributed along the latter between said first and second hitch platforms 3 , 4.

• une paroi supérieure 37 ayant une section transversale en forme de L inversé et comprenant une portion horizontale 38 fixée sur et dans le prolongement de l'aile supérieure 7 du caisson 6 de la poutre centrale 2 et un bord tombé 39 s'étendant verticalement vers le bas dudit caisson 6 depuis le bord longitudinal libre de ladite portion horizontale 38, et
• une jambe de force 40 inclinée fixée entre le dessous de l'extrémité libre de ladite paroi supérieure 37 et la partie inférieure dudit caisson 6.

Thus, with reference to figures 5 And 9 , each of the longitudinal supports 5 comprises at least:

• an upper wall 37 having a cross section in the shape of an inverted L and comprising a horizontal portion 38 fixed on and in the extension of the upper wing 7 of the box 6 of the central beam 2 and a fallen edge 39 extending vertically towards the bottom of said box 6 from the free longitudinal edge of said horizontal portion 38, and
• an inclined strut 40 fixed between the underside of the free end of said upper wall 37 and the lower part of said box 6.

• une aile verticale 41 fixée entre le dessous de la portion horizontale 38 de ladite paroi supérieure 37, une partie de l'une des âmes 12 de la poutre centrale 2 et le dessus de la paroi médiane 9 de l'aile inférieure 8 de ladite poutre centrale 2, et
• une aile 42 s'étendant perpendiculairement de part et d'autre de ladite âme verticale 38 et étant fixée entre le bord tombé 39 de ladite paroi supérieure 37 et le dessus de la paroi médian 9 de l'aile inférieure 8 de ladite poutre centrale 2.

According to an advantageous embodiment, said strut 40 has a cross section in the shape of an inverted T and comprises at least:

• a vertical wing 41 fixed between the underside of the horizontal portion 38 of said upper wall 37, a part of one of the webs 12 of the central beam 2 and the top of the middle wall 9 of the lower wing 8 of said beam central 2, and
• a wing 42 extending perpendicularly on either side of said vertical core 38 and being fixed between the fallen edge 39 of said upper wall 37 and the top of the middle wall 9 of the lower wing 8 of said central beam 2 .

Furthermore, the horizontal portion 38 of said upper wall 37 of each longitudinal support 5 is generally V-shaped so that the end of each of its branches 43 is fixed on and in the extension of the upper wing 7 of the box. 6 of the central beam 2 and, where appropriate, on and in the extension of one of the longitudinal edges 14 of said central beam 2.

Each longitudinal support 5 further comprises one or more reinforcements 44 fixed on the horizontal portion 38 of its upper wall 37, each reinforcement 44 receiving one or more retractable pins 45 arranged to cooperate or not with the goods loaded on the structure 1, the number reinforcements 44 and dowels 45 varying according to the desired loading configurations.

On the figures 10 to 12 , we have shown a variant embodiment of the structure according to the invention, namely a structure 51 intended for wagons of length greater than approximately 60 feet, said structure 51 being similar to structure 1 previously described.

• une poutre centrale 52 longitudinale,
• une première et une deuxième plateformes d'attelage 53, 54 étant fixées chacune à l'une des extrémités longitudinales de ladite poutre centrale 52, et
• une pluralité de supports longitudinaux 55 fixés en vis-à-vis de part et d'autre de ladite poutre centrale 52 et répartis le long de cette dernière entre lesdites première et deuxième plateformes d'attelage 53, 54.

Thus, structure 51 comprises at least:

• a central longitudinal beam 52,
• a first and a second coupling platforms 53, 54 each being fixed to one of the longitudinal ends of said central beam 52, and
• a plurality of longitudinal supports 55 fixed opposite each side of said central beam 52 and distributed along the latter between said first and second coupling platforms 53, 54.

The first and second coupling platforms 53, 54 and the longitudinal supports 55 are advantageously identical to the first and second coupling platforms 3, 4 and the longitudinal supports 5 previously described.

However, structure 51 differs from structure 1 previously described in that its central beam 52 is articulated.

• une aile supérieure 57 horizontale et en forme générale de rectangle allongé, c'est-à-dire que sa forme est inscrite dans un rectangle allongé,
• une aile inférieure 58 comprenant une paroi médiane 59 basse horizontale, deux parois d'extrémités 60 hautes horizontales et deux parois inclinées 61 reliant chacune la paroi médiane 59 à l'une des parois d'extrémités 60, et
• deux âmes 62 verticales parallèles entre elles et reliant l'aile supérieure 57 à l'aile inférieure 58 de sorte que lesdites ailes supérieure et inférieure 57, 58 s'étendent au-delà desdites deux âmes 62 verticales.

For this, the central beam 52 comprises two partially closed boxes 56, each of these two boxes 56 being formed by at least:

• an upper wing 57 horizontal and in the general shape of an elongated rectangle, that is to say that its shape is inscribed in an elongated rectangle,
• a lower wing 58 comprising a low horizontal middle wall 59, two high horizontal end walls 60 and two inclined walls 61 each connecting the middle wall 59 to one of the end walls 60, and
• two vertical cores 62 parallel to each other and connecting the upper wing 57 to the lower wing 58 so that said upper and lower wings 57, 58 extend beyond said two vertical cores 62.

Furthermore, these two boxes 56 are identical to the box 6 previously described and arranged in the extension of one another and are connected to each other by an articulation platform 63. Conventionally, this articulation platform 63 is split into 2 parts, a male part 64 and a female part 65, the latter being connected together by articulation means 66, for example of the "Talbot" type.

• une paroi supérieure 68, 69 horizontale en forme générale de rectangle,
• une paroi inférieure 70, 71 horizontale en forme générale de rectangle, et
• deux parois 72, 73 verticales parallèles entre elles et reliant la paroi supérieure 68, 69 à la paroi inférieure 70, 71 de sorte que lesdites parois supérieure et inférieure 68, 69 ; 70, 71 s'étendent au-delà desdites deux parois 72, 73 verticales.

Each of the male 64 and female 65 parts of the articulation platform 63 has the general shape of a partly closed box 67, the latter being formed by at least:

• a horizontal upper wall 68, 69 in the general shape of a rectangle,
• a horizontal lower wall 70, 71 in the general shape of a rectangle, and
• two vertical walls 72, 73 parallel to each other and connecting the upper wall 68, 69 to the lower wall 70, 71 so that said upper and lower walls 68, 69; 70, 71 extend beyond said two vertical walls 72, 73.

Furthermore, each of the male 64 and female 65 parts of the articulation platform 62 also comprises a crosspiece 74, 75 in the general shape of a tube consisting of at least two vertical cores 76, 77 parallel to each other, arranged transversely between the walls upper and lower 68, 69; 70, 71, and connecting the latter together, said crosspiece 74, 75 being arranged to allow the fixing of a bogie under the male 64 and female 65 parts of the articulation platform 63 and to take up the associated mechanical forces, but also to allow the possible passage of electrical cables and/or the hydraulic and pneumatic circuit.

Furthermore, it is clearly understood that, in a conventional manner, the upper and lower walls 68, 69; 70, 71 and the two vertical walls 72, 73 are also linked together by a plurality of internal sails 78.

Like the first and second hitch platforms 3, 4 previously described, the height of each of the male 64 and female 65 parts of the articulation platform 63 is relatively reduced and equal to the minimum height of the central beam 52 , that is to say the height at the longitudinal ends of its box 56 corresponding to the level of the end walls 60 of its lower wing 58. This configuration is interesting, because it makes it possible to optimize the structure 51 according to the invention by significantly reducing its weight. Furthermore, with this configuration, each of the male 64 and female 65 parts of the articulation platform 63 is assembled on the corresponding box 67 of the central beam 52 by fixing their upper and lower walls 68, 69; 70, 71 respectively on and in the extension of the upper wing 57 and one of the two end walls 60 of the lower wing 58 of said corresponding box 67.

Here we designate by "height of each of the male 64 and female 65 parts of the articulation platform 63" the overall dimension between their upper wall 68, 69 and their lower wall 70, 71.

The structure 1, 51 according to the invention advantageously comprises tubes 79 for protection against the risk of personal accidents, these tubes 79 extending longitudinally between the free ends of the supports 5, 55 and between the first and second hitch platforms 3, 4; 53, 54 and said free ends of the supports 5, 55 (Cf. Figure 10 ).

Furthermore, the invention also relates to a second embodiment of a structure 1 of an articulated or non-articulated wagon for transporting goods, this second embodiment making it possible to further reduce the number of parts and make it easier to manufacture and implement. , fast and economical.

Thus, on the figures 13 to 19 , a structure 101 of a non-articulated freight transport wagon is shown, the structure 101 being intended, on the one hand, to support the goods and, on the other hand, to receive two bogies configured to roll on track rails railways, said bogies and goods not being shown in the figures, so as not to overload them.

• une poutre centrale 102 longitudinale,
• une première et une deuxième plateformes d'attelage 103, 104 étant fixées chacune à l'une des extrémités longitudinales de ladite poutre centrale 102, et
• une pluralité de supports longitudinaux 105 fixés en vis-à-vis de part et d'autre de ladite poutre centrale 102 et répartis le long de cette dernière entre lesdites première et deuxième plateformes d'attelage 103, 104.

Said structure 101 is similar to structure 1 previously described and comprises at least:

• a central longitudinal beam 102,
• a first and a second coupling platforms 103, 104 each being fixed to one of the longitudinal ends of said central beam 102, and
• a plurality of longitudinal supports 105 fixed opposite each side of said central beam 102 and distributed along the latter between said first and second coupling platforms 103, 104.

• une aile supérieure 107 horizontale et en forme générale de rectangle allongé, c'est-à-dire que sa forme est inscrite dans un rectangle allongé,
• une aile inférieure 108 comprenant une paroi médiane 109 basse horizontale, deux parois d'extrémités 110 hautes horizontales et deux parois inclinées 111 reliant chacune la paroi médiane 9 à l'une des parois d'extrémités 110, et
• deux âmes 112 verticales parallèles entre elles et reliant l'aile supérieure 107 à l'aile inférieure 108 de sorte que lesdites ailes supérieure et inférieure 107, 108 s'étendent au-delà desdites deux âmes 112 verticales.

In reference to the Figure 14 , said central beam 102 comprises at least one partially closed box 106, the latter being formed by at least:

• an upper wing 107 horizontal and in the general shape of an elongated rectangle, that is to say that its shape is inscribed in an elongated rectangle,
• a lower wing 108 comprising a low horizontal middle wall 109, two high horizontal end walls 110 and two inclined walls 111 each connecting the middle wall 9 to one of the end walls 110, and
• two vertical cores 112 parallel to each other and connecting the upper wing 107 to the lower wing 108 so that said upper and lower wings 107, 108 extend beyond said two vertical cores 112.

Here we designate by "box" an element or part of an element comprising two substantially horizontal walls connected together by two substantially vertical walls so as to have a cross section in the general shape of a quadrilateral.

In addition, the term "substantially horizontal" or "substantially vertical" designates here elements or parts of elements making respectively an angle between -20 and +20° with the horizontal or the vertical.

The upper and lower wings 107, 108 and the cores 12 may be formed from several parts conventionally assembled by welding and be perforated without departing from the scope of the present invention. However, advantageously, the upper wing 107 will be obtained by laser cutting.

With this configuration, like the box 6 of the central beam 2 of the structure 1 previously described, it is clearly understood that the box 106 which is formed by the upper and lower wings 107, 108 and the two webs 112, allows the possible passage of electric cables and/or the hydraulic and pneumatic circuit, and that this type of central beam 102 in a box with variable height is significantly more flexible than a lattice structure and makes it possible to limit the weight of said central beam 102 while guaranteeing a high mechanical resistance of the latter, which has the effect of improving the friendliness to the rail of a wagon provided with the structure 101 according to the invention and of reducing the wear of the tread of the axles and noise emissions.

Furthermore, it is clearly understood that, in a conventional manner, the upper and lower wings 107, 108 and the two cores 112 are also linked together by a plurality of internal sails 113 (Cf. Figure 15 ).

For obvious reasons of simplicity of manufacture and implementation, the upper wing 107, the middle wall 109, the end walls 110, the inclined walls 111 and the cores 112 are advantageously flat. However, it goes without saying that they may also not be flat without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Furthermore, with reference to figures 14 and 15 , the upper wing 7 of the box 106 comprises a plurality of longitudinal edges 114 arranged opposite each other along each of its vertical longitudinal faces 115, each longitudinal edge 114 being able to form at least part of one of the longitudinal supports 105. Advantageously, each longitudinal rim 114 has a general trapezoid shape and has a fillet 116 at the junction of each of the vertical lateral faces 117 of said longitudinal rim 114 with the corresponding vertical longitudinal face 115 of the wing upper 107, so as not to have a sharp angle and reduce mechanical stress concentrations. In addition, each longitudinal edge 114 is advantageously perforated in order to limit the weight of the upper wing 7 of the box 106.

Likewise, in order to reinforce the structure 101 at the junction between the central beam 102 and each of the first and second coupling platforms 103, 104, the longitudinal ends of the box 106, namely those of the upper wing 107 and the two end walls 110 of the lower wing 108, flare towards the outside of the box 6.

As described previously, said structure 101 also comprises first and second hitch platforms 103, 104 each fixed to one of the longitudinal ends of said central beam 102.

• une paroi supérieure 119 ayant une section transversale en forme de U inversé et comprenant une portion horizontale 120 en forme générale de rectangle et deux bords tombés 121 s'étendant chacun verticalement vers le bas de la structure 1 depuis l'un des bords longitudinaux de ladite portion horizontale 20, et
• une paroi inférieure 122 horizontale en forme générale de rectangle et fixée entre les deux bords tombés 121 de paroi supérieure 119 de sorte que ces derniers s'étendant avantageusement au-delà de ladite paroi inférieure 122, les parois supérieure et inférieure 119, 122 formant alors ledit caisson 118.

Thus, with reference to figures 16 to 18 , each of the first and second coupling platforms 103, 104 comprises, in a manner similar to the first and second coupling platforms 3, 4 of the structure 1 previously described, at least one partially closed box 118, the latter being formed by at least:

• an upper wall 119 having a cross section in the shape of an inverted U and comprising a horizontal portion 120 in the general shape of a rectangle and two fallen edges 121 each extending vertically towards the bottom of the structure 1 from one of the longitudinal edges of said horizontal portion 20, and
• a horizontal lower wall 122 in the general shape of a rectangle and fixed between the two fallen edges 121 of the upper wall 119 so that the latter advantageously extend beyond said lower wall 122, the upper and lower walls 119, 122 then forming said box 118.

Furthermore, each of the first and second coupling platforms 103, 104 also comprises a crosspiece 124 in the general shape of a tube made up of at least two vertical cores 125 parallel to each other, arranged transversely between the upper and lower walls 119, 122, and connecting the latter together, said crosspiece 124 being arranged to allow the fixing of a bogie under the first coupling platform 103 or the second coupling platform 104 and to take up the associated mechanical forces, but also to allow the possible passage electrical cables and/or the hydraulic and pneumatic circuit.

The upper and lower walls 119, 122 may be formed from several parts assembled conventionally by welding and be perforated without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The height of each of the first and second coupling platforms 103, 104 is relatively reduced and equal to the minimum height of the central beam 102, that is to say the height at the longitudinal ends of its box 106 at the level of the walls ends 110 of its lower wing 108. This configuration is interesting because it makes it possible to optimize the structure 101 according to the invention by significantly reducing its weight. Furthermore, with this configuration, each of the first and second coupling platforms 103, 104 is assembled on the central beam 102 and fixing its upper and lower walls 119, 122 respectively on and in the extension of the upper wing 17 and d one of the two end walls 110 of the lower wing 108 of said central beam 102.

Here we designate by "height of each of the first and second coupling platforms 103, 104" the overall dimension between their upper wall 119 and their lower wall 122.

Like the structure 1 previously described, each of the first and second hitch platforms 103, 104 further comprises a housing 126 arranged on its side face located on the side opposite the central beam 102 of the structure 101, said recess 126 being arranged to receive part of a coupling making it possible to couple said structure 101 according to the invention to a structure 101 of an adjacent wagon or to a locomotive.

Furthermore, according to an advantageous embodiment, the horizontal portion 120 of the upper wall 119 of each of the first and second hitch platforms 103, 104 comprises a horizontal lateral rim 127 extending from its internal side face 128, this that is to say its lateral face located on the side of the central beam 102 of the structure 101, and in the direction of said central beam 102, said lateral rim 127 being able to allow the fixing of at least a part of said central beam 102, in particular the fixing of one of the longitudinal ends of the upper wing 107 of the latter. Each side edge 127 advantageously has a fillet 129 at the junction of each of its vertical side faces 130 with the internal side face 128 of the horizontal portion 120, in order not to have a sharp angle and to reduce stress concentrations mechanical.

For the same reasons, the lower wall 122 of each of the first and second coupling platforms 103, 104 comprises a horizontal side rim 131 extending from its internal side face, that is to say its side face located on the side of the central beam 102 of the structure 101, and in the direction of said central beam 102, said lateral rim 131 being able to allow the fixing of at least a part of said central beam 102, in particular the fixing of one of the two end walls 110 of the lower wing 108 of the latter. Each side edge 131 advantageously has a fillet at the junction of each of its vertical side faces with the internal side face of the lower wall 122, in order not to have a sharp angle and to reduce the concentrations of mechanical stress.

Furthermore, it is clearly understood that, in a conventional manner, the upper and lower walls 19, 22 of each of the first and second coupling platforms 3, 4 are also linked together by a plurality of sails or interior reinforcements, not shown in the figures.

Each of the first and second hitch platforms 103, 104 further comprises a plurality of reinforcements 132 fixed on the horizontal portion 120 of its upper wall 119 facing each other along the longitudinal edges of said horizontal portion 120, each reinforcement 132 receiving one or more retractable pins 133 arranged to cooperate or not with the goods loaded on the structure 101, the number of reinforcements 132 and pins 133 varying depending on the desired loading configurations.

As described previously, said structure 101 finally comprises a plurality of longitudinal supports 105 fixed opposite each side of said central beam 102 and distributed along the latter between said first and second coupling platforms 103 , 104, said longitudinal supports 105 differ in part from the longitudinal supports 5 of the structure 1 previously described.

• une jambe de force 134 globalement inclinée fixée entre le dessous de l'extrémité libre d'un des rebords longitudinaux 114 de l'aile supérieure 107 du caisson 106 de la poutre centrale 102 et l'aile inférieure 108 dudit caisson 106,
• un voile de renfort 135 fixé verticalement, au voisinage du milieu de la jambe de force 134, entre le dessous de l'aile supérieure 107, la face externe d'une des âmes 112 verticales, le dessus de l'aile inférieure 108 dudit caisson 106, et la face interne de ladite jambe de force 134, ledit voile de renfort 135 étant avantageusement ajouré afin de limiter son poids.

Thus, with reference to figures 15 And 19 , each of the longitudinal supports 105 comprises at least:

• a generally inclined strut 134 fixed between the underside of the free end of one of the longitudinal edges 114 of the upper wing 107 of the box 106 of the central beam 102 and the lower wing 108 of said box 106,
• a reinforcing web 135 fixed vertically, near the middle of the strut 134, between the underside of the upper wing 107, the external face of one of the webs 112 vertical, the top of the lower wing 108 of said box 106, and the internal face of said strut 134, said reinforcing web 135 being advantageously perforated in order to limit its weight.

• une première aile verticale 136 fixée sur le dessus de l'aile inférieure 108 du caisson 106 de la poutre centrale 102,
• une deuxième aile verticale 137 fixée sur le dessous de l'extrémité libre d'un des rebords 114 de l'aile supérieure 107 dudit caisson 106 et
• une aile médiane inclinée 138 reliant le dessus de ladite première aile verticale 136 et le dessous de ladite deuxième aile verticale 137.

According to an advantageous embodiment, said strut 134 has a zigzag-shaped cross section and comprises at least:

• a first vertical wing 136 fixed on top of the lower wing 108 of the box 106 of the central beam 102,
• a second vertical wing 137 fixed to the underside of the free end of one of the edges 114 of the upper wing 107 of said box 106 and
• an inclined middle wing 138 connecting the top of said first vertical wing 136 and the underside of said second vertical wing 137.

Each longitudinal support 105 further comprises one or more reinforcements 139 fixed on the associated longitudinal edge 114 of the upper wing 107 of the box 106 of the central beam 102, each reinforcement 139 receiving one or more retractable pins 140 arranged to cooperate or not with the goods loaded on the structure 1, the number of reinforcements 139 and pins 140 varying depending on the desired loading configurations.

On the figures 20 to 22 , there is shown an articulated alternative embodiment of the structure 101 according to the invention, namely a structure 151 intended for wagons of length greater than approximately 60 feet, said structure 151 being similar to the structure 101 previously described.

• une poutre centrale 152 longitudinale,
• une première et une deuxième plateformes d'attelage 153, 154 étant fixées chacune à l'une des extrémités longitudinales de ladite poutre centrale 152, et
• une pluralité de supports longitudinaux 155 identiques aux supports longitudinaux 105 précédemment décrits, fixés en vis-à-vis de part et d'autre de ladite poutre centrale 152 et répartis le long de cette dernière entre lesdites première et deuxième plateformes d'attelage 153, 154.

Thus, structure 151 comprises at least:

• a central longitudinal beam 152,
• a first and a second coupling platforms 153, 154 each being fixed to one of the longitudinal ends of said central beam 152, and
• a plurality of longitudinal supports 155 identical to the longitudinal supports 105 previously described, fixed opposite each side of said central beam 152 and distributed along the latter between said first and second coupling platforms 153, 154.

The first and second hitch platforms 153, 154 and the longitudinal supports 155 are advantageously identical to the first and second hitch platforms 103, 104 and the longitudinal supports 105 previously described.

However, structure 151 differs from structure 101 previously described in that its central beam 152 is articulated.

• une aile supérieure 157 horizontale et en forme générale de rectangle allongé, c'est-à-dire que sa forme est inscrite dans un rectangle allongé,
• une aile inférieure 158 comprenant une paroi médiane 159 basse horizontale, deux parois d'extrémités 160 hautes horizontales et deux parois inclinées 161 reliant chacune la paroi médiane 159 à l'une des parois d'extrémités 160, et
• deux âmes 162 verticales parallèles entre elles et reliant l'aile supérieure 157 à l'aile inférieure 158 de sorte que lesdites ailes supérieure et inférieure 157, 158 s'étendent au-delà desdites deux âmes 162 verticales.

For this, the central beam 152 comprises two partially closed boxes 156, each of these two boxes 156 being formed by at least:

• an upper wing 157 horizontal and in the general shape of an elongated rectangle, that is to say that its shape is inscribed in an elongated rectangle,
• a lower wing 158 comprising a low horizontal middle wall 159, two high horizontal end walls 160 and two inclined walls 161 each connecting the middle wall 159 to one of the end walls 160, and
• two vertical cores 162 parallel to each other and connecting the upper wing 157 to the lower wing 158 so that said upper and lower wings 157, 158 extend beyond said two vertical cores 162.

Furthermore, these two boxes 156 are similar to the box 106 previously described and arranged in the extension of one another and are connected to each other by a hinge platform 163. The differences between the two boxes 156 and the box 106 previously described will be explained further below. Conventionally, this articulation platform 163 is split into two parts, a male part 164 and a female part 165, the latter being connected together by articulation means 166, for example of the "Talbot" type.

• une paroi supérieure 168, 169 horizontale en forme générale de rectangle,
• une paroi inférieure 170, 171 horizontale en forme générale de rectangle, et
• deux parois 172, 173 verticales parallèles entre elles et reliant la paroi supérieure 168, 169 à la paroi inférieure 170, 171 de sorte qu'au moins le lesdites parois supérieure 168, 169 s'étendent au-delà desdites deux parois 172, 173 verticales.

The end of each of the male 164 and female 165 parts of the articulation platform 163 has the general shape of a partly closed box 167, the latter being formed by at least:

• a horizontal upper wall 168, 169 in the general shape of a rectangle,
• a horizontal lower wall 170, 171 in the general shape of a rectangle, and
• two vertical walls 172, 173 parallel to each other and connecting the upper wall 168, 169 to the lower wall 170, 171 so that at least said upper walls 168, 169 extend beyond said two vertical walls 172, 173 .

Furthermore, the end of each of the male 164 and female 165 parts of the articulation platform 162 also comprises a crosspiece 174, 175 in the general shape of a tube made up of at least two vertical cores 176, 177 parallel to each other, arranged transversely between the upper and lower walls 168, 169; 170, 171, and connecting the latter together, said crosspiece 174, 175 being arranged to allow the fixing of a bogie under the parts male 164 and female 165 of the articulation platform 163 and take up the associated mechanical forces, but also to allow the possible passage of electrical cables and/or the hydraulic and pneumatic circuit.

Furthermore, it is clearly understood that, in a conventional manner, the upper and lower walls 168, 169; 170, 171 and the two vertical walls 172, 173 may also be perforated and linked together by a plurality of internal sails 178.

Each of the male 164 and female 165 parts of the articulation platform 163 is also formed by the end of the associated box 156. Thus, with reference to the Figure 23 , unlike the box 106 previously described, the end of each box 156 opposite the first or second coupling platform 153, 154 is such that the upper and lower wings 107, 108 of said box 156 each comprise a protrusion 179, 180 s extending horizontally and shaped to be fixed respectively at the end and in the extension of the upper and lower walls 168, 169; 170, 171 of the corresponding end of the male 164 and female 165 parts of the articulation platform 163. With this particular configuration, the end of each of said upper and lower wings 107, 108 of said box 156 has a general T shape Furthermore, the vertical cores 162 of the box 156 then extend to the end of said protrusions 179, 180, the latter being more advantageously closed at least partly at the periphery by two angles 181 so that the entire protrusions 179, 180 - angles 181 form a box.

Furthermore, it is clearly understood that, in a conventional manner, the protrusions 179, 180 and the angles 181 could also be perforated and linked together by a plurality of internal sails, not shown.

Like the first and second hitch platforms 103, 104 previously described, the height of each of the male 164 and female 165 parts of the articulation platform 163 is relatively reduced and equal to the minimum height of the central beam 152 , that is to say the height at the longitudinal ends of its box 156 corresponding to the level of the protrusions 179, 180. This configuration is interesting, because it makes it possible to optimize the structure 151 according to the invention by significantly reducing its weight.

Here we designate by "height of each of the male 164 and female 165 parts of the articulation platform 163" the overall dimension between their upper wall 168, 169 and their lower wall 170, 171.

Finally, to further increase flexibility, the lower wing 108, 158 of the central beam 102, 152 of the structure 101, 151 includes a plurality of notches 141, 142, 143 arranged on either side of the webs 112, 162 verticals (Cf. Figure 14 ).

Whatever the alternative embodiment, structure 1, 51; 101, 151 according to the invention improves, thanks to its particular box configuration, the friendliness to the rail thanks to its flexibility and its lightness, which results in a reduction in the wear of the tread of the axles of the bogies and the noise emissions.

Concerning the mass gain, studies have demonstrated that compared to conventional lattice structures, the configuration of the structure 1.51; 101, 151 according to the invention makes it possible to obtain a reduction of at least 10% to 15% of the mass. We clearly understand that this reduction in mass makes it possible to reduce the consumption of locomotives and therefore the cost of transport.

In addition, it is clearly understood that with the configuration of structure 1, 51; 101, 151 according to the invention, it is possible to standardize the manufacture of coupling and articulation platforms, the latter covering all ranges of structure lengths 1, 51; 101, 151, easily integrate a standard brake system, and robotize approximately 80% of the welds. Finally, analyzes demonstrated a 30% reduction in the weld measurement on structure 1.51; 101, 151 according to the invention compared to conventional structures. We understand that all of its advantages are very interesting, because they make it possible to reduce the cost of manufacturing the structure 1, 51; 101, 151 according to the invention and therefore to render said structure 1, 51; 101, 151 more competitive in a very competitive market.

To form a wagon with structure 1, 51; 101, 151 of a wagon according to the invention, it is necessary to place bogies under the first and second coupling platforms 3, 4, 53, 54; 103, 104, 153, 154 and, where applicable, under the articulation platform 63; 163 to the right of the sleepers 24 respectively; 124 and crosspieces 74, 75 174, 175. Furthermore, it is also necessary to integrate into said structure 1, 51; 101, 151 at least electrical cables and/or a hydraulic and pneumatic circuit, and a brake system.

Structure 1, 51; 101, 151 of a wagon according to the invention finds a particular application in the general field of transport of goods on the rails of a railway. However, it is obvious that structure 1, 51; 101, 151 of wagon can be adapted and used, for example, for the transport of passengers.

Finally, it goes without saying that the examples of structure 1, 51; 101, 151 in accordance with the invention which have just been described are only particular illustrations, in no way limiting the invention.

Claims (10)

Structure (1, 51; 101, 151) of a goods transport wagon arranged to receive at least two bogies in order to be able to run on railway rails, comprising at least: - a central longitudinal beam (2, 52; 102, 152) comprising at least one box (6, 56; 106, 156), - a first and a second coupling platform (3, 4, 53, 54; 103, 104, 153, 154) comprising at least one box (18; 118) and each being fixed to one of the longitudinal ends of said central beam (2, 52; 102, 152), and - a plurality of longitudinal supports (5, 55; 105, 155) fixed opposite each other of said central beam (2, 52; 102, 152) and distributed along the latter between said first and second hitch platforms (3, 4, 53, 54; 103, 104, 153, 154), said structure (1, 51; 101, 151) being characterized in that each of the first and a second hitch platforms (3, 4, 53, 54; 103, 104, 153, 154) comprises at least one box (18 ; 118) partly closed, the latter being formed by at least: - an upper wall (19; 119) having a cross section in the shape of an inverted U and comprising a horizontal portion (20; 120) in the general shape of a rectangle and two fallen edges (21; 121) each extending vertically downwards of the structure (1, 51; 101, 151) from one of the longitudinal edges of said horizontal portion (20; 120), and - a horizontal lower wall (22; 122) in the general shape of a rectangle and fixed between the two fallen edges (21; 121) of the upper wall (19; 119) so that the latter advantageously extend beyond said wall lower (22; 122), said upper and lower walls (19, 22; 119, 122) then forming said box (18; 118), the height of each of the first and second coupling platforms (3, 4; 53, 54) being equal to the height at the longitudinal ends of the box (6, 56; 106, 156) corresponding to the central beam (2, 52; 102, 152). Structure (1, 51; 101, 151) according to claim 1 characterized in that each of the first and second coupling platforms (3, 4, 53, 54; 103, 104, 153, 154) comprises a crosspiece (24; 124) in the general shape of a tube consisting of at least two vertical cores (25; 125) parallel to each other, arranged transversely between the upper and lower walls (19, 22; 119, 122), and connecting the latter to each other. Structure (101, 151) according to any one of claims 1 or 2 characterized in that each box (106, 156) is formed by at least: - an upper wing (107, 157) horizontal and in the general shape of an elongated rectangle, that is to say that its shape is inscribed in an elongated rectangle, - a lower wing (108, 158) comprising a low horizontal middle wall (109, 159), two high horizontal end walls (110, 160) and two inclined walls (111, 161) each connecting the middle wall (109, 159) to one of the end walls (110, 160), and - two vertical cores (112, 162) parallel to each other and connecting the upper wing (107, 157) to the lower wing (108, 158) so that said upper and lower wings (107, 157, 108, 158) extend beyond said two souls (112, 162), said upper wing (107, 157) comprising a plurality of longitudinal edges (114) arranged opposite each other along each of its vertical longitudinal faces (115), each longitudinal edge (114) being able to form at least one part of one of the longitudinal supports (105, 155). Structure (101, 151) according to claim 3 characterized in that each of the longitudinal supports (105, 155) comprises at least: - a generally inclined strut (134) fixed between the underside of the free end of one of the longitudinal edges (114) of the upper wing (107, 157) of the box (106, 156) of the central beam ( 102, 152) and the lower wing (108, 158) of said box (106, 156), - a reinforcing web (135) fixed vertically, near the middle of the strut (134), between the underside of the upper wing (107, 157), the external face of one of the webs (112, 162 ) vertical, the top of the lower wing (108, 158) of said box (106, 156), and the internal face of said strut (134). Structure (101, 151) according to claim 4 characterized in that said strut (134) has a zigzag-shaped cross section and comprises at least: - a first vertical wing (136) fixed on top of the lower wing (108, 158) of the box (106, 156) of the central beam (102, 152), - a second vertical wing (137) fixed to the underside of the free end of one of the edges (114) of the upper wing (107, 157) of said box (106, 156) and - an inclined middle wing (138) connecting the top of said first vertical wing (136) and the underside of said second vertical wing (137). Structure (151) according to any one of claims 1 to 5 characterized in that the central longitudinal beam (152) is articulated and comprises two boxes (156) arranged in the extension of one another and connected to each other by an articulation platform (163) arranged to receive a bogie in order to be able to roll on railway rails, said articulation platform (163) being split into two parts, a male part (164) and a female part (165 ) connected together by articulation means (166). Structure (151) according to claim 6 characterized in that the end of each of the male (164) and female (165) parts of the articulation platform (163) has the general shape of a partly closed box (167), the latter being formed by at least: - a horizontal upper wall (168, 169) in the general shape of a rectangle, - a horizontal lower wall (170, 171) in the general shape of a rectangle, and - two vertical walls (172, 173) parallel to each other and connecting the upper wall (168, 169) to the lower wall (170, 171) so that said upper and lower walls (168, 169; 170, 171) are extend beyond said two vertical walls (172, 173), the height of each of said male (164) and female (165) parts being equal to the height at the longitudinal ends of its corresponding box (156). Structure (151) according to claim 7 characterized in that the end of each of the male (164) and female (165) parts of the articulation platform (63) comprises a crosspiece (174, 175) in the general shape of a tube consisting of at least two vertical cores (176, 177) parallel to each other, arranged transversely between the upper walls and lower (168, 169; 170, 171), and connecting the latter together, said crosspiece (174, 175). Structure (151) according to claim 8 characterized in that each of said male (164) and female (165) parts is also formed by the end of the associated box (156), opposite the first or second hitch platform (153). , 154), said end being such that the upper and lower wings (157, 158) of said box (156) each comprise a protrusion (179, 180) extending horizontally and shaped to be fixed respectively at the end and in the extension of the upper and lower walls (168, 169; 170, 171) of the corresponding end of said male (164) and female (165) parts, the vertical cores (162) of the box (156) then extending up to the end of said growths (179, 180). Structure (151) according to claim 9 characterized in that said protrusions (179, 180) are closed at least partly on the periphery by two angles (181) so that the assembly of protrusions (179, 180) - angles (181) forms a box.

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