GB2449536A

GB2449536A - Articulated flat wagon for the transport of containers, swap bodies and automotive vehicles

Info

Publication number: GB2449536A
Application number: GB0808205A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Modesto Montuenga Sanchez
Original assignee: TAFESA SA
Current assignee: TAFESA SA
Priority date: 2007-05-23
Filing date: 2008-05-07
Publication date: 2008-11-26
Also published as: FR2916410A1; GB0808205D0; DE102008023257A1; FR2916410B1

Abstract

The wagon incorporates a frame 1 on which bogies 2 and traction, shock absorption and braking units are mounted. The frame is formed with main longitudinal side-sills 3, two pivoting cross-beams 4 and two buffer beams 5. The wagon comprises two semi-wagons coupled by a ball and socket joint 6 with a bolt, each semi-wagon having a foldable loading ramp.

Description

ARTICULATED FLAT WAGON FOR THE TRANSPORT OF CONTAINERS,

SWAP BODIES AND AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLES

SUBJECF OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, as disclosed in this description, relates to an articulated flat wagon for the transport of containers, swap bodies and automotive vehicles, which has been designed and produced in order to achieve major advantages compared to other, existing means used for similar purposes.

Rail and road transport are both experiencing continuous growth. A prime requirement is for large amounts of goods to be transported on each journey without exceeding maximum height profiles.

The present invention can provide an articulated wagon comprising two semi-wagons which, by means of several supports, enable containers, swap bodies, and even automotive vehicles, if so required, to be transported.

Because it is possible for this wagon to transport a different type of goods on each journey, enabling it to be used in a different manner on outward and return journeys, thereby avoiding any travelling empty, it can offer a very high degree of flexibility.

In addition, this wagon can have the original characteristic, since it can be almost 33 metres in length, of being able to transport a container 40-foot long on each semi-wagon without exceeding the maximum permitted load, or alternatively, two containers each 20-foot long or one container 30-foot long.

Similarly, because of its floor height, this wagon can be used to transport containers and swap bodies of above standard height.

This invention has been developed in an engineering department for rolling stock fitted with three bogies, and is suitable for the transport of containers, swap bodies and automotive vehicles on either national or international track gauges.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

The transport of freight by road in specialised trucks is currently experiencing severe problems because the roads in question are collapsing. The volume of goods to be transported every day and the numbers of trucks required are increasing, with concomitant increases in congestion, pollution and other nuisances.

The present invention provides a wagon that can be flexibly loaded enabling various types of goods to be transported, which can optimise their transport and significantly reduces costs since different types of freight can be transported on outward and return journeys, thus avoiding empty return runs.

In addition, this means of transport can enable traffic volumes and their associated problems to be considerably reduced and the freight transport market to be exploited.

No articulated bogied wagon is currently available either in Spain or in any other country for the transport of freight that can be varied in accordance with requirements.

The most important advantages of the present invention are: -Its innovatory nature; this is believed to be the first time the previously known design has ever been changed.

-Wagon costs under numerous headings can be reduced, for example, those deriving from the fitting of shared bogies and only two buffer beams.

-The flexibility offered by the wagon due to the freight to be transported can be varied according to operating requirements.

-The ability to transport containers and swap bodies that are of above standard height can be achieved.

-Utilisation of railway networks for freight transport can be achieved.

-A reduction in traffic generated by this type of road transport and reduced enviromnentaj impact can be achieved.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention can provide an articulated 3-bogie flat wagon that is suitable for national and international track gauges and which comprises two semi-wagons for the transport of 90 degree containers and swap bodies.

Using bogies shared by two semi-wagons, this wagon can be used for the transport of various types of cargo, such as containers and swap bogies and even automotive vehicles, depending on the needs of the market.

The wagon can also incorporates a series of fold away pins so that other types of container or swap body can be mounted and has a floor height that is lower than normal, which means that it can be used to transport containers and swap bodies that are taller than standard.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the drawing, in which: Figure 1 -Shows an elevation view of the articulated flat wagon; and Figure 2-Shows a plan view of the aforementioned wagon.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The wagon comprises (see figures 1 and 2): -A frame I which carries the bogies 2, and the tractive, shock absorption and braking units, comprising main longitudinal side-sills 3, two pivotable cross beams 4 and two buffer beams 5. The gap between frames is the intennediate zone where a ball and socket joint 6 is located, since each module carries female or male couplings.

-A floor 7 covered by strips of grating 8 in the vehicle's wheel area and by a plate 9 across the remaining area.

-Several fold-away ramps 10 to cover the difference in height between the end buffer beam and the loading plane so that vehicles can be loaded. The ramps are deployed above the loading plane during loading and unloading of vehicles and retracted above the buffer beam when transporting containers.

-The wagon has 36 positions for the locating of pins 11 that can be moved to various positions to allow for various combinations of containers and swap bodies.

-The joint between the semi-wagons comprises, in its central part, the ball and socket joint 6 with a bolt forming the joining element between the wagon's two platforms. Each semi-wagon therefore has a different coupling, one female and the other male so that semi-wagons can be joined together using a ball and socket joint.

Claims

1 Articulated flat wagon for the transport of containers, swap bodies and automotive vehicles, incorporating a frame on which bogies and traction, shock absorption and braking units are mounted, and which is formed from main longitudinal side-sills, first and second pivoting cross beams and first and second buffer beams.

2 An articulated flat wagon, according to claim 1, comprising first and second semi-wagons and in which a ball and socket joint with a bolt is located in an intermediate zone between the semi-wagons, in the manner of a joint between two platforms, so that each module carries female or male couplings.

3 An articulated flat wagon to claim 1 or 2, in which a floor of the wagon is covered by strips of grating in the vehicle wheel area and by plates in the remaining part.

4 An articulated flat wagon according to any preceding claim, including a plurality of fold away ramps incorporated in the wagon in order to cover the difference in height between the end buffer beam and the loading plane, facilitating the loading and unloading of vehicles with the deployment of the ramp above the loading plane.

5 An articulated flat wagon according to any preceding claim, in which pins are fitted that can be moved between a plurality of positions permitted on the wagon to allow for various combinations of containers and swap bodies.

6 An articulated flat wagon substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings.