GB776374A - Improvements in or relating to flexible-walled gangway connections between rail coaches and the like - Google Patents

Abstract

776,374. Communication platforms between railway cars. WILD & CO., Ltd., A. G. Dec. 6, 1955 [Nov. 19, 1954], No. 33573/54. Class 103(4). In a flexible walled gangway connection between rail coaches and the like comprising two flexible walled parts each permanently fixed at one end to one of the two vehicles to be coupled together, fluid-pressure activated devices are provided for effecting and maintaining the mating or coupling of the detachable ends of the two parts when the vehicles are coupled together. As shown, a coach body 1 has secured thereto one end of a collapsible bellows portion 2 of a gangway the other end being secured to a faceplate 3. The faceplate is projected or retracted by means of an upper compressed air cylinder 4 and a pair of lower cylinders 5, 6, the piston of each cylinder being flexibly coupled to the faceplate. The cylinders are double acting and are connected to a manually-operated control valve 8 adapted to be set into one or other of two positions determining the projection or retraction of the faceplate 3. The gangway is provided with a pivoted tread plate 11 which is operated by a compressed air cylinder 13 so as to be raised when the gangway is retracted and lowered to a horizontal position when the gangway is projected. The operating cylinders may be supplied with vacuum instead of compressed air. The fluid-pressure operated devices may be single acting and be arranged to effect the projection of the flexible walled parts against spring action. Valves may.be provided to cushion the movement of the gangway parts.