GB1129351A - Waggon for the transport of road vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

1,129,351. Rail cars for transporting road vehicles. SOC. NOUVELLE DES ATELIERS DE VENISSIEUX. 3 Jan., 1966 [4 Jan., 1965], No. 44/66. Heading B7L. [Also in Division B8] A wagon for transporting road vehicles comprises a movable bridge 5, Fig. 1, between fixed end platforms 1, 2 mounted on axles 3 and interconnected by two longitudinal side members 4, the bridge 5 being adapted to occupy a top horizontal position in line with the platforms, a bottom horizontal position at a lower level, as shown, or an inclined position, Figs. 5b and 5c (not shown), so as to form a ramp to receive the wheels of the road vehicle, e.g. a semi-trailer. The invention is characterized in that the bridge 5 has one end vertically displaceable with respect to the platform 2 whilst its other end is connected to the platform 1 via pivots 6, Fig. 3 (not shown), each movable vertically between top and bottom positions of the bridge, by means of jacks 9 operable by bevel gears 7 and a common horizontal shaft 11 by a chain 12 and cranks on a transverse shaft 13 on each side of the wagon. The bridge 5 bears on a cross-member 20 adapted to be locked by bolts 21 in a top or bottom supporting position and includes a portion 5a, Fig. 4, articulated at 5b to the remainder of the bridge 5. The articulation 5b is disposed between the crossmember 20 and a stop 24, the portion 5a being lockable by means 22, 23 in top and bottom positions on the platform 2. The bridge 5 is connected at 14 at each side at a position between the cross-member 20 and the articulation 5b to a cable 15 passing over a pulley 16 and secured to a coil spring 17 pivotally secured to the platform 2 at 18. A semi-trailer is loaded on to a wagon in a train of wagons by being reversed by its towing vehicle over wagons in which the bridges are secured in their top horizontal positions, from a fixed platform or a ramp. The wagon, which is to receive the semi-trailer, has its pivots 6 in their top positions, the cross-member 20 secured in its bottom position and the bolt 23 of the bridge portion 5a released, the bridge 5 being held in the top position by the springs 17, as described with reference to Fig. 5a (not shown). When the semi-trailer is reversed on to the bridge of the receiving wagon, the former pivots at 6 and assumes an inclined position the main portion contacting the cross-member 20 and the portion 5a pivoting at 5b as it bears on the stop 24 to allow the rear end of the trailer to pass over the platform 2 as described with reference to Figs. 5b and 5c (not shown). The towing vehicle is then removed and the pivots 6 are lowered by the jacks 9 as described with reference to Fig. 5d (not shown), the portion 5a being locked by the bolt means 22. The procedure is reversed for unloading the trailer. Reference has been directed by the Comptroller to Specification 858,771.