FR3137355A1 - Wagon device for transporting goods by rail, more particularly goods on pallets - Google Patents

Abstract

Wagon device for the transport of goods by rail, more particularly of goods on pallets. The present invention relates to a wagon device for the transport of goods by rail, more particularly of goods (4) on pallets (5), said device comprising a wagon (1) designed essentially for lateral loading, respectively unloading. It is essentially characterized in that the floor (1c) of the wagon (1) comprises at least one part of movable floor at one or at least two floor level(s) capable of being moved vertically, preferably in translation, so as to to be able to modify its position in height between a high position and a low position and vice versa and in that it comprises a lifting system making it possible to operate and guide the movement in height of the or each part of the movable floor from the position high to the low position and vice versa and holding means making it possible to maintain the or each part of the movable floor in the high or low position to carry out the loading/unloading and/or storage of the goods. Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 2

Description

Wagon device for transporting goods by rail, more particularly goods on pallets

The present invention relates to the field of rail transport of goods, more particularly goods on pallets, and relates to a wagon device for the transport of goods by rail, more particularly goods on pallets.

In the field of freight transport, a wagon is a vehicle intended for the transport of goods by rail (railway) and which is towed or pushed, generally by a locomotive, so that it can be moved on the rails. Such a wagon comprises a chassis supporting a floor and axles or bogies located at the ends of the chassis.

These wagons adapted for the transport of goods, such as bottles for example, more particularly on pallets, are generally flat wagons open on the sides (laterally), possibly covered with a retractable tarpaulin, equipped or not with drop sides or bars verticals placed on the side faces of the wagon to retain the goods. Covered flat wagons opening on the sides (side faces) by means of a sliding tarpaulin (“Rils” type wagons or similar) or sliding walls (“Habbins” type wagons or similar), are also suitable for loading/unloading and transport of this type of goods, particularly on pallets.

These flat wagons for the transport of goods on pallets are designed to allow lateral loading/unloading of goods on pallets, that is to say through the open lateral sides (or side faces) of the wagon. Loading or unloading operations are carried out using a forklift, also known as a “Fenwick”, from or to the platform along which the wagon is stationary. The platform is in most cases at the same height as the floor of the wagon. Generally, these railway loading/unloading platforms are located at a height of around one meter, or even significantly higher than one meter above or in relation to the level of the rails.

Other wagons, with a floor lowered in the central part between the bogies, intended more particularly for the transport of heavy road vehicles are designed for longitudinal (or frontal) or vertical loading and unloading. These wagons are therefore not suitable for allowing, from a loading/unloading dock, the loading and lateral unloading of goods into the wagon and in particular of goods on pallets loaded by a forklift transversely to the wagon.

Flat wagons for the transport of goods on pallets designed to allow lateral loading/unloading have a large floor length, while having sufficient width to allow the loading of at least two pallets, called industrial pallets (of dimensions equal to approximately 1200 mm x 1000 mm), one next to the other, at their greatest length, over the width of the wagon.

However, the quantity of pallets (with their goods) that can be stored in these side-loading wagons is limited by the floor area. Indeed, if we take into account the maximum payload of a wagon (around sixty-five tonnes for four axles), the average weight (one tonne) per pallet, the maximum available floor surface and the size imposed by the regulations only allowing storage on a single height (a single level of pallets), it is only possible to load thirty-six pallets, or thirty-six tons. The wagon's loading capacity of sixty-five tonnes is then far from being used in full.

The present invention aims to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a wagon device for the transport by rail of goods on pallets making it possible to improve the loading capacity of goods on pallets of the wagon designed essentially for lateral loading/unloading.

For this purpose, the wagon device, according to the present invention, for the transport by rail of goods, more particularly goods on pallets, said device comprising a wagon designed essentially for lateral loading, respectively unloading, by at least the one of its lateral sides comprising at least one loading/unloading opening, said wagon comprising a chassis, axles and/or bogies at its ends and a floor extending along the longitudinal axis of the wagon, is essentially characterized in that the floor comprises at least one movable floor part at one or at least two floor level(s), the movable floor part(s) forming the whole or part of the floor and each being capable of being moved vertically, preferably in translation, so as to be able to modify its position in height between a high position and a low position and vice versa and in that it comprises a lifting system making it possible to actuate and guide the movement in height of the or each part of movable floor from the high position to the low position and vice versa and holding means making it possible to maintain the or each part of movable floor in the high or low position to carry out loading/unloading and/or storage goods, more particularly goods on pallets.

The invention will be better understood, thanks to the description below, which relates to a preferred embodiment, given by way of non-limiting example, and explained with reference to the appended schematic drawings, in which:

is a longitudinal or axial sectional view of a side-loading freight wagon of the prior art,

is a cross-sectional view of the wagon shown on the showing in the width direction two rows of palletized goods stored on a single level on the fixed floor of the wagon,

is a longitudinal or axial sectional view of a wagon device according to the present invention, with a movable floor part at a floor level placed in the low position and extending between the bogies,

is a partial cross-sectional view of the wagon device shown in the at the level of the movable floor part,

is a cross-sectional view of a wagon device according to the present invention, during a first phase of loading goods on pallets onto a movable floor part at a single floor level, in the high position, using a forklift,

shows the wagon device shown on the , in a phase where a forklift transports two pallets of goods intended to be stacked directly on the goods on pallets stored on the movable floor part in the low position,

shows the wagon device shown on the , in the phase of stacking the two pallets of goods on the first level of goods on pallets using a forklift,

is a partial cross-sectional view of a wagon device according to the present invention, with a lifting system in one embodiment comprising a lifting unit on board the wagon,

is a partial perspective view of a wagon device according to the present invention comprising movable floor parts at two floor levels each forming a movable box, said movable boxes each forming a section of the floor,

is a longitudinal sectional view of the wagon device shown on the , in partial view without the sides of wagon 1, and in the loaded state with two levels of goods on pallets stored in and on the mobile boxes in the low position and a single level of goods on pallets stored on the fixed parts of the floor s 'extending above the bogies,

is a perspective view from below of one of the mobile boxes shown on the and showing four holding parts secured to the lower floor of the mobile box, each near one of its corners,

is a partial cross-sectional view of the lower floor of the box shown on the , in the high position and with the movable retaining parts in the extended position inserted in the retaining notches,

shows the movable floor part 10c represented on the and moved to a position above the high position to retract the retaining parts by blocking them in the retracted position in order to allow the descent of the mobile box towards the low position,

shows the part of the movable floor shown on the in a lower level position between the high position and the low position when the mobile box is lowered,

shows the part of the movable floor shown on the in the lower position of the mobile box on the bottom and showing the locking bolts in the unlocked state releasing the holding parts,

is a cross-sectional view of a wagon device according to the present invention comprising mobile boxes, in the loading phase into one of said boxes of two pallets of goods, using a forklift,

shows the wagon device shown on the , in the phase of moving the mobile box to the low position thanks to the forks of a forklift forming the lifting system and supporting the mobile box from below the upper floor of said mobile box,

shows the wagon device shown on the , in the loading phase of two other pallets of goods loaded on the upper floor of the mobile box,

is a view similar to that of the but with sections comprising two movable boxes side by side in the direction of the width of the wagon, namely a first movable box adjacent to the unloading dock and a second movable box located on the side opposite the loading dock,

shows the wagon device shown on the when removing the removable upper floor of one of the boxes,

shows the wagon device shown on the and in the loaded state, in the unloading phase of the pallet of goods stored on the upper floor of the first mobile box in the low position,

shows the first mobile box of one of the sections represented on the moved by the forklift to the high position to allow unloading of the pallet of goods stored inside said first mobile box,

shows the first mobile box shown on the maintained and blocked in the high position, during the unloading phase of the pallet of goods stored inside said first mobile box,

shows the removal, by the forklift, of the removable upper floor of the first mobile box shown on the to allow the unloading of the second mobile box of the same section,

shows the unloading by the forklift of the pallet of goods stored on the upper floor of the second mobile box in the low position shown on the ,

shows the forklift rolling on the lower floor of the first box and in the lifting phase, by a forklift forming the lifting system, of the second mobile box shown on the to put it in its high position,

shows the unloading by the forklift of the pallet of goods stored inside the second mobile box shown on the .

Figures 1 and 1a show a freight wagon 1' with transverse loading/unloading of the prior art. Loading/unloading is carried out by at least one of its lateral sides comprising at least one loading/unloading opening 1'e. The wagon 1' comprises a chassis 1'a, axles and/or bogies 1'b at its ends and a flat loading floor 1'c extending along the longitudinal axis X of the wagon 1'. The wagon 1' is shown in the loaded state with two rows of goods 4 on pallets 5 (or in other words: pallets 5 of goods 4) stored on the floor 1'c of the wagon 1' and on a single storage level . Such a wagon 1' of the prior art can be of the "Rils" or "Habbins" type. This wagon 1 has a large floor length 1'c, while having sufficient width to allow, as can be seen on the , the loading of two industrial pallets (for example of dimensions each: 1200 mm x 1000 mm) in their greatest length over the width of the wagon 1'. However, the size G imposed by the regulations leaves, as we can see in particular on the , a reduced space G1 above the floor 1'c and goods 4 on pallet 5 which does not allow other goods 4 on pallet to be stacked on the goods 5 on pallet 4 already loaded in the wagon 1' by piling on these. The storage capacity of such a wagon 1' of the prior art is therefore limited and more particularly limited to the storage of a single level of goods 4, such as bottles, on pallet 5.

The other attached figures show a wagon device, according to the present invention, for the transport of goods by rail R, more particularly goods 4 on pallets 5, making it possible to remedy these drawbacks. For this purpose it comprises a wagon 1 (of goods) which is designed essentially for lateral loading, respectively unloading (of goods, more particularly of goods 4 on a pallet 5) by at least one of its lateral sides comprising at minus a 1st loading/unloading opening. The wagon 1 comprises a chassis 1a, axles and/or bogies 1b at its ends and a floor 1c extending along the longitudinal axis X of the wagon 1.

In accordance with the present invention, the floor 1c comprises at least one part 10c, 11c of movable floor at one or at least two floor level(s). The part(s) 10c, 11c of movable floor(s) form(s) the whole or part of the floor 1c and are each capable of being moved vertically, preferably in translation, so as to be able to modify its position in height between a high position P2 and a low position P1 and vice versa.

When the part(s) 10c, 11c of the movable floor(s) form(s) a part of the floor 1c, that is to say constitutes only a part of it, as can be seen in particular in Figures 2 and 6, the other part of the floor 1c can be fixed (fixed floor part 1c) and extend for example above the bogies 1b. The part(s) 10c, 11c of movable floor(s) can then in this example of embodiment, as can be seen in particular in Figures 2 and 6, extend substantially in the central part of the wagon 1 between the bogies 1b.

The low position P1 of the part(s) 10c, 11c of the movable floor makes it possible to increase the loading capacity of the wagon 1, and therefore the storage capacity in the latter, by vertically increasing the storage space so as to be able to stack the goods 4 on pallets on at least two storage levels, unlike a wagon 1' of the prior art limited to a single storage level, while respecting the size constraints G imposed by the regulations in this field of transport of goods by rail.

Preferably, the chassis 1a supports or integrates a horizontal bottom 10a of the wagon 1 and two vertical sides 1d surmounting said bottom 10a. In addition, the or each loading/unloading opening 1e extends from and above the upper edge 10d respectively of one of the two sides 1d. The level of the upper edge 10d of said sides 10a corresponds substantially to the high position P2 which itself corresponds substantially to or is defined by the standard level of a loading/unloading dock Q. Preferably, the bottom level 10a can correspond to the low position P1. By bottom 10a is meant any contact surface, solid or perforated, located in the lower part of the wagon 1 and capable of supporting at least one part 10c, 11c of movable floor at one or at least two floor levels.

The bottom 10a can thus form a means for maintaining the lower position P1 of the part(s) 10c, 11c of the movable floor(s) which can come into abutment against said bottom 10a during their descent (see in particular Figures 5, 6, 7 , 8d, 9b, 9c, 10, 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, 12e). As will be seen later, the bottom 10a can be used as a means of maintaining the low position P1, particularly when the lifting system is not on board, comprising a forklift 3a capable and intended to lift the part 10c, 11c of movable floor to put it in the high position P2 and rest it on the bottom 10a to put it in the low position P1. By comparison, the bottom 10a is located below the level of the fixed floor 1'c of the side-loading wagons 1' of the prior art. The bottom 10a, in another comparison, is located below the upper edge of the sides 1d of the wagon 1 extending longitudinally under the lateral openings 1e made in the lateral sides of the wagon 1.

Still in accordance with the present invention, the wagon device further comprises a lifting system 2, 3 making it possible to actuate and guide the movement in height of the or each part 10c, 11c of the movable floor from the high position P2 up to in the low position P1 and vice versa and holding means 2a, 6, 30b, 10a making it possible to maintain the or each mobile floor part 10c, 11c in the high or low position P2, P1 to carry out loading/unloading and/or the storage of goods 4, more particularly goods 4 on pallets 5.

The present invention can provide that the lifting system 2, 3 can move the or each part 10c, 11c of floor above the high position P2 having a loading/unloading and/or storage function for another function, for example example, as will be seen later, to unlock locking bolts 6c of holding parts 6a.

Lateral loading or unloading in a wagon 1 of the device according to the present invention or in a wagon 1' of the prior art is carried out by the open lateral (or longitudinal) sides of the wagon 1', from a loading dock Q located above the ground (figures 3a, 3b, 3c, 4, 9a, 9b, 9c, 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, 12e, 12f, 12g) or, in a form not shown in the appended figures, from the ground (approximately at the level of the R rails or the rail track of the wagon).

Preferably, the movable floor parts 10c, 11c, that is to say the movable floor parts 10c, 11c at one level or at least two floor levels, are independent of each other so as to be able to be each moved individually in height from the high position P2 to the low position P1 and vice versa.

Considering that a length portion of the floor 1c forms a section, the movable floor parts 10c, 11c can each form such a section or part of such a section. A section, as can be seen in Figures 5, 10, 11, can thus include a ( ) or several (Figures 10 and 11) part(s) 10c, 11c of movable floor(s), preferably independent of each other.

Preferably, in the case of a plurality of floor parts 10c, 11c, at least two movable floor parts 10c, 11c are arranged next to each other or against each other in the direction of the width or length of the wagon 1. If necessary, the two movable floor parts 10c, 11c arranged next to each other or against each other can be separated by a partition 3b. Such partitions 3b, which make it possible to separate at least two parts 10c, 11c of movable floor or two sections can also be used, as we will see later, to guide their vertical movement (see in particular Figures 5, 10 and 11 ).

In a particular embodiment of the or each mobile floor part 10c, 11c, it has a square or rectangular shape. Preferably, the or each part 10c, 11c of movable floor at a floor level has a flat or thin shape in order to further increase the storage space.

If we refer to Figures 5, 6, 7, 9a, 9b, 9c, 10, 11, 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, 12e, 12f, 12g, we can see that the or at least one of said part ( s) 10c, 11c of movable floor(s) at two floor levels is divided into two sub-parts 10c, 11c of superimposed floor, preferably of flat and rectangular shape, namely a lower sub-part 10c of floor, called (called ) lower floor 10c, and a sub-part 11c of upper floor, called (called) upper floor 11c, connected together by at least two lateral sides 12c so as to form a box 10c, 11c, 12c movable vertically between the high position P2 and the low position P1. In addition, it can be seen that the or each box 10c, 11c, 12c is open on at least one of its two lateral sides 12c, preferably on its two lateral sides 12c, parallel to the longitudinal axis X of the wagon 1 so as to form at least one lateral opening for loading/unloading the box 10c, 11c, 12c. The open lateral side(s) 12c thus make it possible to carry out the lateral loading, respectively the unloading, of the goods 4, more particularly of the goods 4 on a pallet 5, in (inside) said box 1 on the lower floor 10c. In addition, goods 4 on pallets 5 can be loaded (outside the box) on the upper floor 11c of the box 10c, 11c, 12c. In this particular embodiment, the high and low positions P2, P1 of the mobile box 10c, 11c, 12c are defined in relation to the lower floor 10c (see the broken lines in the figures concerned indicating the high positions P2 and low P1).

The upper floor 11c of the or at least one of the mobile box(es) 10c, 11c, 12c can be removable or retractable (see in particular Figures 11, 12d). Fixing pins can be provided to fix the upper floor 11c and remove the latter after removal of said pins. Such a characteristic allows, for example, as we will see in more detail later, a forklift 3a to pass through the mobile box 10c, 11c, 12c while rolling on its lower floor 10c to load or unload another box mobile 10c, 11c, 12c located next to it (according to the width of wagon 1 or in a second row) (Figures 12e, 12g, 12h).

We understand that in the case of such mobile boxes 10c, 11c, 12c, the latter are independent of each other so that they can each be moved individually in height from the high position P2 to the low position P1 and vice versa.

The vertical sides 1d and the bottom 10a can then delimit a lifting space in which the part(s) 10c of movable floor(s) can move in height/vertically at one or at least two floor level(s). , where applicable the mobile box(es) 10c, 11c, 12c.

In a first embodiment of the lifting system 2, as can be seen in the , this comprises at least one lifting unit 2a on-board in the wagon 1. In addition, the or each on-board lifting unit 2a is configured to carry out the movement and guidance in height of the or one of the floor parts 10c, 11c movable(s) from the high position P2 to the low position P2 and vice versa, with maintenance in said high position P2 or low position P1.

In this first embodiment of the lifting system 2, as can be seen in the , the or each on-board lifting unit 2a may comprise, on the one hand, at least one lifting device 20a with a deformable parallelogram ( ) or endless screw (shape not shown) connected to the chassis 1a and to the or one of the parts 10c, 11c of movable floor(s) and, on the other hand, at least one actuator 21a making it possible to actuate said lifting device 20a. Preferably, in the case where the or each part 10c, 11c of movable floor(s) forms a mobile box 10c, 11c, 12c, the or each lifting device 20a with deformable parallelogram ( ) or endless screw (shape not shown) is connected to the chassis 1a and to the lower floor 10c of the mobile box 10c, 11c, 12c. The or each lifting device 20a is more particularly arranged under and connected to the part 10c, 11c of the movable floor, where appropriate to the lower floor 10c of the box 10c, 11c, 12c of the movable box. We can see more particularly on the that the on-board lifting unit 2a can include two lifting devices 20a with deformable parallelogram (only one is visible on the ) located on each side of a movable floor part 10c, where applicable of the lower floor 10c of the mobile box 10c, 11c, 12c, and each articulated by at least one articulation 200a on the movable floor part 10c, where applicable on the lower floor 10c of the mobile box 10c, 11c, 12c, and by at least one articulation 201a on the bottom 10a of the chassis 1a or another part of the chassis 1a. The movable floor part 10c, where applicable the lower floor 10c of the movable box 10c, 11c, 12c, may include lights 100c receiving an axis 201a of one of the articulations 200a of the movable floor part 10c, if applicable of said lower floor 10c of the mobile box 10c, 11c, 12c. The lifting device 20a may comprise two lifting arms 202a, preferably connected by at least one connecting rod 205a, articulated on the one hand around the axis 203a of the or one of the joints 200a of the floor part 10c mobile, where appropriate of the lower floor 10c of the mobile box 10c, 11c, 12c, and on the other hand around the axis 204a of the or one of the articulations 201a of the bottom 10a.

Thus, in this exemplary embodiment the lifting devices 20a with deformable parallelogram make it possible to maintain the horizontality of the movable floor part 10c, where appropriate of the lower floor 10c of the movable box 10c, 11c, 12c. The lifting arms 202a describe an arc of a circle during their movement causing the vertical movement up or down of the mobile floor part 10c, where appropriate of the lower floor 10c of the mobile box 10c, 11c, 12c. The axes 203a of the joints 200a of the movable floor part 10c can slide horizontally in the slots 100c relative to the movable floor part 10c. As can be seen more particularly on the , the sides 1d of the chassis 1a of the wagon 1 can ensure or reinforce the vertical guidance of the movable floor part 10c, where appropriate of the lower floor 10c of the movable box 10c, 11c, 12c, during its movement between the high position P2 and the low position P1 and vice versa. The actuator 21a can be a hydraulic, pneumatic or electric cylinder and can be fixed at one of its ends on the chassis 1a, for example on one of the internal sides of the chassis 1a and on the or one of the arms lifting 202a. The entry or exit of the cylinder 21a then causes the deformation of the parallelogram thus causing the part 10c of the movable floor to rise or fall, where appropriate the lower floor 10c of the movable box 10c, 11c, 12c and therefore the movable box 10c, 11c, 12c.

In the case of a lifting device 20a with a worm screw, this can comprise a plurality of worm screws, preferably four worm screws, connected to nuts secured to the part 10c of the movable floor, the where appropriate from the lower floor 10c of the mobile box 10c, 11c, 12c, preferably from the four corners of the latter or the latter. One or more electric or hydraulic motors can be provided to rotate the worm screws, thus causing said part 10c of the movable floor to rise or fall, where appropriate the lower floor 10c of the mobile box 10c, 11c, 12c.

In another embodiment of the lifting system 3, in particular in the case where the or each floor part 10c, 11c is a floor part 10c, 11c with two floor levels forming a mobile box 10c, 11c, 12c, the lifting system 3 may comprise at least one forklift 3a provided with a fork 30a and guide means 3b making it possible to guide the movement in height of the or each mobile box 10c, 11c, 12c. The or each mobile box 10c, 11c, 12c can be configured so as to be able to receive the fork 30a of the forklift(s) 3a under and against the upper floor 11c so as to be able to lift the movable box 10c, 11c, 12c to move it from the low position P1 to the high position P2 when the fork 30a is raised, bearing against the upper floor 11c. This embodiment of the lifting system 3 makes it possible to avoid the installation of an on-board lifting system, for example a lifting system 2 comprising the on-board lifting unit(s) 2a. Therefore no energy is required on board wagon 1.

In this embodiment of the lifting system 3 with forklift, the guiding means 3b can consist of at least two transverse partitions 3b fixed in the wagon 1 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X and the or each box 10c, 11c, 12c mobile can be arranged between the two or two transverse partitions 3b so as to be able to be guided in translation between said transverse partitions 3b during its movement in height. In Figures 5 and 10, we can see that slides 7 ensure vertical guidance in translation of the mobile box(es) 10c, 11c, 12c during their ascent or descent and guarantee their longitudinal blocking. The slides 7 also prevent the mobile boxes 10c, 11c, 12c from moving transversely. Each slide 7 may comprise a rectilinear guide 7a fixed vertically on the external face of one of the transverse sides of the boxes 10c, 11c, 12c movable parallel to the partitions 3b and a groove 7b complementary to said guide 7a made vertically in the internal face of the adjacent partition 3a. Each guide 7a can then slide vertically by sliding in the complementary groove 7b of the corresponding slide 7.

If we refer to Figures 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d we can see that such partitions 3b can include holding notches (or openings) 30b and that the holding means 6, 30b can comprise said notches 30b and parts of maintaining 6 secured to the lower floor 10c. Each holding part 6 may comprise at least one movable holding part 6a, preferably under the effect of a spring 6b, between a retracted position under or in the lower floor 10c, and an extended position in which the part 6a of holding is able to engage, in the high position P2, in one of the holding notches 30b to maintain the lower floor 10c, and therefore the mobile box 10c, 11c, 12c, in said high position P2.

The holding parts 6 can be fixed on the underside of the lower floor 10c, preferably at the four corners or near the four corners of the latter (see in particular the ). The mobile holding part 6a may have a shape similar to that of a door closing bolt. The movement of the holding part 6a from the retracted position to the extended position is carried out under the effect of a spring 6b when the mobile box 10c, 11c, 12c is lifted and placed in the high position P2 (Figures 9a, 12b ) by means of the forklift 3a. In the high position P2, the movable holding parts 6a are opposite the notches 30b and are inserted into the latter in the extended position under the thrust of the springs 6b, which has the effect of maintaining the box 10c, 11c, 12c mobile in the high position P2.

Thus the lower floor 10c of the mobile box 10c, 11c, 12c concerned is held in the high position P2 by the holding pieces 6a inserted in the holding notches 30b. Maintaining the mobile box 10c, 11c, 12c in the high position P2 allows the forklift 3a to be released so that it can load/unload the internal space of the mobile box 10c, 11c, 12c (Figures 8a, 12c) or, as will be seen later, access another mobile box 10c, 11c, 12c (figures 12f, 12g).

Preferably, as can be seen in the , the retraction of the holding parts 6a can be carried out manually by moving each holding part 6a into the retracted position. However, so that there is no manual operation to be carried out to unlock the holding parts 6a in order to be able to lower the mobile box 10c, 11c, 12c with the forklift 3a, the present invention can provide that each part 6 retaining part further comprises a lock 6c making it possible to block the associated holding part 6a in the retracted position. The re-entry of each holding part 6a and its blocking by the lock 6c can then be carried out by moving, thanks to the forklift 3a, the mobile box 10c, 11c, 12c upwards above the high position P2, towards a upper high position P3, that is to say of a level higher than that of the high position P2 (reference), which has the effect of putting an inclined side into sliding contact with the upper edge of the notches 30b for holding an inclined side 60a practiced in each holding part 6a and causing the movement of the holding parts 6a towards their retracted position against the pushing force of the springs 6b by blocking them in the retracted position thanks to the locking bolts 6c. The upper high position P3 can be considered as an intermediate or transitional position during the movement in height of the movable floor part 10c, 11c between the high position P2 and the low position P1.

So when the forklift 3a then lowers the mobile box 10c, 11c, 12c towards its low position P1, the holding parts 6a will remain blocked in the retracted position and will not be inserted again into the holding openings 30b when lowering the mobile box 10c, 11c, 12c ( ). Once the movable box 10c, 11c, 12c is completely lowered, that is to say when it reaches its low position P1, each lock 6c will come into contact with the bottom 10a of the wagon 1, which has the effect of lift said lock 6c. This movement releases the holding part 6a which will again be urged towards its extended position under the effect of the thrust of the compression spring 6b ( ). In this way, when the mobile box 10c, 11c, 12c is moved to its high position P2, the locking part 6a will be inserted into the receiving opening 30b when it is facing the latter and will block the mobile box 10c, 11c, 12c, more particularly the lower floor 10c, in the high position P2 ( ).

We understand that the position P3 can then be located above or slightly above the upper edge 10d of the sides 1d of the wagon 1.

The transverse partitions 3b may present above the reception openings 30b an internal extra thickness 31b which will force the holding parts 6a to retract as much as possible to be perfectly blocked by the locking bolts 6c during the descent of the box 10c, 11c, 12c and not come to block again in the holding notches 30b.

Preferably, each locking latch 6c may consist of a tilting element 6c around a tilting axis 62c, preferably horizontal and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the wagon 1 (Figures 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d). The rocking element 6c may have an L shape and can be pivotally mounted in a vertical plane by one of its ends around the tilting axis 62c. Each holding part 6a may include a blocking projection 61a and the rocker element 6c may include a blocking projection 60c cooperating with the blocking projection 61a of the locking part 6a to block the latter in the retracted position during movement of the box 10c, 11c, 12c movable above the high position P2. Each rocking element 6c may further comprise an unlocking projection 61c which can be formed by one of the ends of the L opposite to that articulated around the tilting axis 62c. Once the movable box 10c, 11c, 12c has completely lowered, that is to say when it reaches its low position P1, the unlocking projection 61c of the rocker element 6c will come into contact with the bottom 10a of the wagon 1 and lift said rocking element 6c (or pivot it upwards), which will have the effect of releasing the associated holding part 6a as seen previously.

We understand that, depending on the nature of the goods 4 on pallet 5, the goods 4 on pallet can be:

- either stacked directly on the goods 4 on pallet 5 stored on the part or one of the part(s) of movable floor 10c at a floor level (Figures 2 and 3c), if the goods/products 4 on pallet 5 allow it and support the load,

- either loaded on the upper floor 11c of a box 10c, 11c, 12c (Figures 6, 9c, 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d).

In order to offer the maximum storage height available in the wagon 1 (in particular above its bottom 10a), the or each part 10c of movable floor at a floor level, where appropriate the lower floor 10c, 11c or upper part of a mobile box 10c, 11c, 12c, is intended to be preferably the thinnest/thinest possible. For this purpose, the length of the movable part of the floor 1c (comprising the movable floor part(s) 10c, 11c at one or at least two floor level(s)) is preferably divided into several independent sections as seen previously (see for example Figures 5, 6, 10, 11).

In such a wagon 1 according to the wagon device according to the present invention, with one or more floor parts 10c at a single floor level, the process of loading the goods 4 onto pallets 5 can take place/sequence in the following way:

Figures 3a, 3b, 3c show the phases of loading the goods 4 on pallets 5 onto a mobile floor part 10c. To load the goods 4 on pallet 5 on the movable floor part 10c using a forklift 3a for example, it is placed in the high position P2, that is to say at the same level as the loading dock Q ( ). The loading dock Q is also at the same level as the upper edges 10d of the sides 1d of the wagon 1. After being loaded with a first level of goods 4 on pallets 5, the part 10c of the movable floor is then lowered by means of the system lifting device 2 embarked in the wagon (Figures 3b and 3c) in order to receive a second level of goods 4 on pallet 5 by stacking on the first level ( ). Each level of the stack can include two or four pallets 5 of goods 4. In this case the forklift 3a is adapted to transport two or four pallets 5 of goods 4 at a time.

In the case of the use of forklifts 3a of smaller dimensions not having the capacity to carry two pallets 5 simultaneously, a variant of the arrangement of the boxes 10c, 11c, 12c or lower and upper floor parts 10c) is presented in Figures 10, 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, 12e, 12f, 12g. The unloading process of this variant can take place/sequence as follows:

- the forklift 3a unloads the goods 4 on pallet 5 stored on the upper floor 11c of the box 10c, 11c, 12c adjacent to the platform Q, called first box 10c, 11c, 12c, ( ), Then

- the forklift 3a mounts the first box 10c, 11c, 12c having placed its forks 30a below the upper floor 11c ( ) and lifting said first box 10c, 11c, 12c, then

- the forklift 3a unloads the pallets 5 of goods 4 stored inside the first box 10c, 11c, 12c on the lower floor 10c ( ),

– in order to be able to access the goods 4 on pallet 5 stored on and in the box 10c, 11c, 12c, called second box 10c, 11c, 12c, located on the side opposite the platform Q, the driver of the forklift 3a removes the axes of fixing the removable upper floor 11c after placing the forks 30a of the forklift 3a below the upper floor 11c, then the forklift 3a lifts and places the upper floor 11c ( ), Then

- the forklift 3a unloads the goods 4 on pallet 5 stored on the second box 10c, 11c, 12c while rolling on the lower floor 10c of the first box 10c, 11c, 12c on the side of the platform Q ( ), Then

- the forklift 3a mounts the second box 10c, 11c, 12c having placed its forks 30a below the upper floor 11c of the second box 10c, 11c, 12c ( ) and lifting said second box, then

- the forklift 3a unloads the goods 4 on pallet 5 stored inside the second box 10c, 11c, 12c ( ).

The loading process is exactly the reverse of the unloading process shown above.

Furthermore, in a known manner, the closing of the loading/unloading openings 1e and the protection of the goods 4 is carried out in the same manner as with known wagons 1', in particular as Rils type wagons or similar (flat wagons with sliding tarpaulins) or of the Habbins type or similar (covered wagons with sliding walls).

Such a wagon device according to the present invention thus makes it possible, in particular between (central part of the wagon 1) the two bogies 1b of the wagon 1, thanks to the floor part(s) 10c, 11c movable(s) in the low position (lowered floor ) to obtain a storage height allowing the loading of at least two levels of goods 4 on pallets instead of a single level on the fixed floor 1'c of a wagon 1' of the prior art. Thus, on a wagon 1 according to the present invention of the same length as a conventional wagon 1', in particular of the Rils type or the Habbins type, makes it possible to load fifty-six pallets of 1200 x 1000 instead of thirty-six, i.e. a capacity 55% higher carriage. With a loading mass of fifty-six tonnes (56 x 1ton/pallet), the wagon's carrying capacity of sixty-five tonnes is better used.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described and shown in the accompanying drawings. Modifications remain possible, particularly from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims (12)

Wagon device for the transport by rail of goods, more particularly goods (4) on pallets (5), said device comprising a wagon (1) designed essentially for lateral loading, respectively unloading, by at least one of its lateral sides comprising at least one loading/unloading opening (1e), said wagon (1) comprising a chassis (1a), axles and/or bogies (1b) at its ends and a floor (1c) extending the along the longitudinal axis (X) of the wagon (1), characterized in that the floor (1c) comprises at least one part (10c; 10c, 11c) of movable floor at one or at least two level(s) of floor, the movable floor part(s) (10c; 10c, 11c) forming the whole or part of the floor (1c) and each being able to be moved vertically, preferably in translation, so as to be able to modify its height position between a high position (P2) and a low position (P1) and vice versa and in that it comprises a lifting system (2; 3) making it possible to activate and guide the movement in height of the or each floor part (10c; 10c, 11c) movable from the high position (P2) to the low position (P1) and vice versa and means of holding (2a, 6, 30b, 10a) making it possible to maintain the or each movable floor part (10c; 10c, 11c) in the high or low position (P2, P1) to carry out the loading/unloading and/or storage of goods (4), more particularly goods (4) on a pallet (5). Wagon device according to claim 1, characterized in that the movable floor parts (10c; 10c, 11c) are independent of each other so that they can each be moved individually in height from the high position (P2) up to to the low position (P1) and vice versa. Wagon device, according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a length portion of the floor (1c) forms a section and in that the movable floor parts (10c; 10c, 11c) each form such a section or part of such a section. Wagon device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that at least two movable floor parts (10c; 10c, 11c) are arranged next to each other or against each other. the other in the direction of the width or length of the wagon (1). Wagon device, according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the chassis (1a) supports or integrates a horizontal bottom (10a) of the wagon (1) and two vertical sides (1d) surmounting said bottom (10a), the or each loading/unloading opening (1e) extending respectively from and above the upper edge (10d) of one of the two sides (1d) and in that the level of the upper edge ( 10d) of said sides (10a) corresponds substantially to the high position (P2) and the bottom level (10a) corresponds substantially to the low position (P1). Wagon device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the or at least one of the movable floor part(s) (10c, 11c) at two floor levels is divided into two superimposed floor sub-parts (10c, 11c) each forming one of the two floor levels, namely a lower floor sub-part (10c), called the lower floor (10c), and a floor sub-part (11C) upper, called upper floor (11C), connected together by at least two lateral sides (12c) so as to form a mobile box (10c, 11c, 12c) capable of being moved vertically between the high position (P2) and the position low (P1), the or each box (10c, 11c, 12c) being open on at least one of its two lateral sides, preferably on its two lateral sides (13c), parallel to the longitudinal axis (X) of the wagon (1), so as to form at least one side opening for loading/unloading the box (10c, 11c, 12c). Wagon device according to claim 6, characterized in that the upper floor (11c) of the or at least one of the mobile box(es) (10c, 11c, 12c) is removable or retractable. Wagon device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the lifting system (2) comprises at least one lifting unit (2a) on board the wagon (1), the or each lifting unit (2a) on-board being configured to carry out the movement and guidance in height of the or one of the floor parts (10c; 10c, 11c) movable(s) from the high position (P2) to the low position ( P1) and vice versa, with maintenance in said high or low position (P2, P1). Wagon device according to claim 8, characterized in that the or each on-board lifting unit (2a) comprises, on the one hand, at least one lifting device (20a) with a deformable parallelogram or worm screw connected to the chassis (1a) and to the or one of the movable floor parts (10c; 11c) and, on the other hand, at least one actuator (21a) making it possible to actuate said lifting device (20a). Wagon device according to any one of claims 1 to 9 each taken in combination with claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the lifting system (3) comprises at least one forklift (3a) provided with a fork (30a) and guide means (3b) making it possible to guide the movement in height of the or each mobile box (10c, 11c, 12c) and in that the or each mobile box (10c, 11c, 12c) is configured to so as to be able to receive the fork (30a) of the or one of the forklift(s) (3a) under the upper floor (11c) so as to be able to lift the mobile box (10c, 11c, 12c) for move it from the low position (P1) to the high position (P2) when raising the fork (30a) bearing under and against the upper floor (11c) of said box (10c, 11c, 12c). Wagon device according to claim 10, characterized in that the guide means (3b) consist of at least two transverse partitions (3b) fixed in the wagon (1) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (X) and in that the or each movable box (10c, 11c, 12c) is arranged between the two or two transverse partitions (3b) so as to be able to be guided in translation between said transverse partitions (3b) during its movement in height. Wagon device, according to claim 11, characterized in that the partitions (3b) comprise receiving notches (30b) and in that the holding means (6, 30b) comprise said receiving notches (30b) and parts (6) for holding the lower floor (10c) of the box (10c, 11c, 12c) concerned, the or each holding part (6) comprising at least one movable holding part (6a), preferably under the effect of a spring (6b), between a retracted position under or in the lower floor (10c) and an extended position in which the holding part (6a) is able to engage, in the high position (P2), in one of the holding notches (30b) for holding the lower floor (10c), and therefore the mobile box (10c, 11c, 12c), in said high position (P2).