WO1999029553A1 - Rail transport unit for transporting palletised or high volume loads - Google Patents

Rail transport unit for transporting palletised or high volume loads Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1999029553A1
WO1999029553A1 PCT/GB1998/003606 GB9803606W WO9929553A1 WO 1999029553 A1 WO1999029553 A1 WO 1999029553A1 GB 9803606 W GB9803606 W GB 9803606W WO 9929553 A1 WO9929553 A1 WO 9929553A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
unit
roof
rail
gauge
wagon
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB1998/003606
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Robert Malcolm Ord
Original Assignee
Babcock Rosyth Industries Ltd.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Babcock Rosyth Industries Ltd. filed Critical Babcock Rosyth Industries Ltd.
Priority to DE69812156T priority Critical patent/DE69812156D1/en
Priority to AT98957022T priority patent/ATE234212T1/en
Priority to EP98957022A priority patent/EP1034105B1/en
Priority to AU13450/99A priority patent/AU1345099A/en
Publication of WO1999029553A1 publication Critical patent/WO1999029553A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B61—RAILWAYS
    • B61D—BODY DETAILS OR KINDS OF RAILWAY VEHICLES
    • B61D39/00—Wagon or like covers; Tarpaulins; Movable or foldable roofs
    • B61D39/001—Tiltable roofs
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B61—RAILWAYS
    • B61D—BODY DETAILS OR KINDS OF RAILWAY VEHICLES
    • B61D3/00—Wagons or vans
    • B61D3/16—Wagons or vans adapted for carrying special loads
    • B61D3/20—Wagons or vans adapted for carrying special loads for forwarding containers

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a rail transport unit particularly but not exclusively being a part of a rail freight vehicle or being a swap body for a rail vehicle.
  • the unit is useful for transporting palletised or high volume loads.
  • Rail vehicles for transporting palletised or high volume loads are often restricted by the shape of the rail structure gauge.
  • Netherlands is extremely disadvantaged because the rail structure gauge is curved at the top to accommodate tunnels and bridges and is very narrow at the bottom to provide clearance for passenger platforms.
  • Road vehicles are typically square in section and permitted heights allow vehicles to accommodate high volume loads. Many such vehicles have curtain sides which allow full height side access.
  • the normal rail structure gauge in Germany is called W6.
  • SB1 enhanced rail structure gauge running from the Channel Tunnel to Intermodal Terminals. This gauge, called SB1
  • SB1 gauge however is provided only for de-mountable loads.
  • the wagon remains in the 6 gauge and can therefore travel unrestricted to workshops and so around the British rail network.
  • a rail transport unit for transporting a load comprising a body for mounting on wheels, the body comprising an under-frame, a roof and vertical roof support means mounted to the under-frame for supporting the roof, the roof having a longitudinal edge structure on each side, the height of the outer longitudinal edge of the structure is adjustable with respect to the roof.
  • the unit can be either a rail/road carried unit such as a swap body or else can be part of a rail vehicle or wagon.
  • the outer edge of the roof can have a dependent portion or members so that by raising the outer edge loading to the roof is possible. Then when loading is complete, the edge is lowered to clamp a top load unit (e.g. a small container) within the wagon's structural limits. After use the outer edge can be lowered again to negotiate a small gauge.
  • a top load unit e.g. a small container
  • the edge structure can be pivotally mounted or else be detachably dismountable.
  • Figure 1 shows 6 and SBl rail structure gauge
  • Figure 2 shows the side elevation of the rail vehicle according to the invention
  • Figure 2a shows a section through the rail vehicle of Figure 2 ;
  • Figure 3 shows a side elevation of two rail vehicles assembled as a close coupled twin set.
  • One body has a side curtain removed to illustrate a double stacked palletised load unit;
  • Figure 4 shows the W6 and SBl rail structure gauge and the profile of the unit of Figure 2 and its bulkheads
  • Figure 5 shows a section through the unit of Figure 2 shown here as a wagon frame illustrating the pivoting roof and double stacked palletised loads;
  • Figure 6 shows a detail of a top corner of the rail wagon of Figure 5 illustrating a pivoting roof in SBl and 6 gauge positions;
  • Figure 7 is a perspective view of a longitudinal edge structure for the roof of the rail wagon of Figure 5.
  • Figure 8 shows a detail of a top corner of the rail wagon illustrating the pivoting roof in the SBl gauge, but modified in order to retain the top portion of the load.
  • the roof is also shown "raised” - to provide full side access during loading.
  • Figure 1 illustrates the 6 UK rail structure gauge 1 which is curved at the top. Superimposed is the SBl structure gauge 2 for de-mountable load units - showing the additional space available.
  • Figure 2a illustrates a section through the wagon showing the palletised load 7 and the roof 25 in the SBl rail gauge 2.
  • Figure 3 illustrates the wagons arranged as a twin set for volume and length efficiency, showing conventional height couplings 4, low height semi-permanent coupling 8, palletised load 7 (curtain removed), and curtain sides 9.
  • Figure 4 illustrates W6 rail gauge 1, SBl rail gauge 2, bulkhead profile 6 (inside 6 gauge) and wagon frame profile 5.
  • Figure 5 illustrates an enlarged section through the wagon showing the palletised load 7, the roof 25 having a longitudinal edge structure 30 in the SBl rail gauge 2.
  • the wagon frame is positioned in the lower narrow part of the 6 rail gauge 1 and together with the space provided by the top corners of the SBl gauge 2 allows for the transport of double stacked palletised loads 7.
  • the wagon suspension centres are adjusted to provide a wagon width similar to that of a road vehicle, thus enabling pallets to be loaded "two wide” over the entire length of the rail wagon frame 5.
  • the curtains 9 hang in one plane from the edge structure 30 for the entire length of the wagon.
  • Figure 6 illustrates the top corner of the pivoting roof showing a pivoting roof edge structure 30 in the SBl gauge 2 position and also in a lowered position with the W6 gauge 1.
  • the wagon can therefore accommodate high loads within SBl gauge and after the loads are removed the roof can be lowered to W6 gauge for transport to workshops if required.
  • the curtain track 11 supports curtain 12.
  • the fixed roof section 13 of roof 25 is supported by bulkheads 6.
  • the longitudinal edge structure 30 shown in more detail in Figure 7 comprises a number of roof members 10 welded to hollow pivoting beam 32 at the inner side of the structure and a curtain 34 at the outer side of the structure 30.
  • Beam 32 shown more clearly in Figure 7 is pivotally mounted at each end on bulkheads 6 at 34.
  • Arms 36 are provided at one end of the beam 32 and suitable means 38 (here showing as a hand operated screw 40 and nut 42 arrangement mounted at trunnion 44) are provided to raise or lower the structure.
  • the structure is covered by sheet material 35.
  • Figure 8 illustrates an optional roof detail for operation in the SBl rail gauge 2.
  • the pivoting roof is modified to positively retain the top section of the double stack pallets or unstable loads.
  • the members 10 of the pivoting roof structure 30 is retained but the curtain track 11 is attached by a bracket 15 which forms a right angle with the roof 10.
  • the assembly 10, 15, 11 can be raised to provide unrestricted side access for loading or after removing the load can be lowered to 6 rail gauge 1 for movement to for instance workshops.
  • the pivoting roof assembly has a positive stop or pin 50 (Figure 6) preventing the top section of the roof from falling below the desired position.
  • the positive stop location is loaded by conventional tensioning devices (usually vertical straps and buckles) within the curtain 12.
  • the example mainly illustrates a rail wagon consisting of two platforms assembled as close coupled twin set, with two bogies under each platform. Although this arrangement is highly efficient, vehicles using articulated couplings, single wagons or wagons with single axle suspension can also be used.
  • the example illustrates a wagon with integral frame/body construction for efficiency in weight and volume.
  • the body of the unit could be de-mountable as a swap body on a wagon chassis or flat bed rail vehicle.
  • the example illustrates a wagon body with two compartments per platform (with end and central bulkheads) for optimum roof strength/curtain operating length.
  • the wagon body could contain any number of compartments.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Fittings On The Vehicle Exterior For Carrying Loads, And Devices For Holding Or Mounting Articles (AREA)
  • Pallets (AREA)
  • Warehouses Or Storage Devices (AREA)
  • Stacking Of Articles And Auxiliary Devices (AREA)
  • Conveying And Assembling Of Building Elements In Situ (AREA)

Abstract

A transport unit, particulary a rail wagon or swap body, for transporting a palletised load (7); the unit has a body frame (5) for mounting on wheels (3) above which is a roof (25); the roof has longitudinal edge structures (30) at each side, the edges of which can be raised or lowered to obtain the maximum loading volume of the unit; the edge structure can also be used to stabilise upper loads in the unit.

Description

RAIL TRANSPORT UNIT FOR TRANSPORTING PALLETISED OR HIGH VOLUME LOADS
This invention relates to a rail transport unit particularly but not exclusively being a part of a rail freight vehicle or being a swap body for a rail vehicle. The unit is useful for transporting palletised or high volume loads.
Rail vehicles for transporting palletised or high volume loads are often restricted by the shape of the rail structure gauge. Britain is extremely disadvantaged because the rail structure gauge is curved at the top to accommodate tunnels and bridges and is very narrow at the bottom to provide clearance for passenger platforms.
Road vehicles are typically square in section and permitted heights allow vehicles to accommodate high volume loads. Many such vehicles have curtain sides which allow full height side access.
The normal rail structure gauge in Britain is called W6.
There is also an enhanced rail structure gauge running from the Channel Tunnel to Intermodal Terminals. This gauge, called SB1
(Swap Body One) , is the 6 gauge plus "ears" in the top corners to accommodate containers or swap bodies or flat wagons. The
SB1 gauge however is provided only for de-mountable loads.
After the load is removed the wagon remains in the 6 gauge and can therefore travel unrestricted to workshops and so around the British rail network.
According to the present invention there is provided a rail transport unit for transporting a load comprising a body for mounting on wheels, the body comprising an under-frame, a roof and vertical roof support means mounted to the under-frame for supporting the roof, the roof having a longitudinal edge structure on each side, the height of the outer longitudinal edge of the structure is adjustable with respect to the roof. By adjusting the outer edge of the roof upwards it is possible to load up the unit to the roof to the full SBl or UIC B+ gauge and then after unloading to lower the roof edge so that it can negotiate British 6 gauge which is lower at the edges than the SBl gauge. For explanation of the SBl and W6 gauges see Figure 1.
The unit can be either a rail/road carried unit such as a swap body or else can be part of a rail vehicle or wagon.
In one embodiment the outer edge of the roof can have a dependent portion or members so that by raising the outer edge loading to the roof is possible. Then when loading is complete, the edge is lowered to clamp a top load unit (e.g. a small container) within the wagon's structural limits. After use the outer edge can be lowered again to negotiate a small gauge.
The edge structure can be pivotally mounted or else be detachably dismountable.
An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 shows 6 and SBl rail structure gauge;
Figure 2 shows the side elevation of the rail vehicle according to the invention;
Figure 2a shows a section through the rail vehicle of Figure 2 ;
Figure 3 shows a side elevation of two rail vehicles assembled as a close coupled twin set. One body has a side curtain removed to illustrate a double stacked palletised load unit;
Figure 4 shows the W6 and SBl rail structure gauge and the profile of the unit of Figure 2 and its bulkheads;
Figure 5 shows a section through the unit of Figure 2 shown here as a wagon frame illustrating the pivoting roof and double stacked palletised loads;
Figure 6 shows a detail of a top corner of the rail wagon of Figure 5 illustrating a pivoting roof in SBl and 6 gauge positions;
Figure 7 is a perspective view of a longitudinal edge structure for the roof of the rail wagon of Figure 5; and
Figure 8 shows a detail of a top corner of the rail wagon illustrating the pivoting roof in the SBl gauge, but modified in order to retain the top portion of the load. The roof is also shown "raised" - to provide full side access during loading.
Figure 1 illustrates the 6 UK rail structure gauge 1 which is curved at the top. Superimposed is the SBl structure gauge 2 for de-mountable load units - showing the additional space available.
Figure 2a illustrates a section through the wagon showing the palletised load 7 and the roof 25 in the SBl rail gauge 2.
Figure 3 illustrates the wagons arranged as a twin set for volume and length efficiency, showing conventional height couplings 4, low height semi-permanent coupling 8, palletised load 7 (curtain removed), and curtain sides 9.
Figure 4 illustrates W6 rail gauge 1, SBl rail gauge 2, bulkhead profile 6 (inside 6 gauge) and wagon frame profile 5.
Figure 5 illustrates an enlarged section through the wagon showing the palletised load 7, the roof 25 having a longitudinal edge structure 30 in the SBl rail gauge 2. The wagon frame is positioned in the lower narrow part of the 6 rail gauge 1 and together with the space provided by the top corners of the SBl gauge 2 allows for the transport of double stacked palletised loads 7. The wagon suspension centres are adjusted to provide a wagon width similar to that of a road vehicle, thus enabling pallets to be loaded "two wide" over the entire length of the rail wagon frame 5. Similarly the curtains 9 hang in one plane from the edge structure 30 for the entire length of the wagon.
Figure 6 illustrates the top corner of the pivoting roof showing a pivoting roof edge structure 30 in the SBl gauge 2 position and also in a lowered position with the W6 gauge 1. The wagon can therefore accommodate high loads within SBl gauge and after the loads are removed the roof can be lowered to W6 gauge for transport to workshops if required. The curtain track 11 supports curtain 12. The fixed roof section 13 of roof 25 is supported by bulkheads 6. The longitudinal edge structure 30 shown in more detail in Figure 7 comprises a number of roof members 10 welded to hollow pivoting beam 32 at the inner side of the structure and a curtain 34 at the outer side of the structure 30. Beam 32 shown more clearly in Figure 7 is pivotally mounted at each end on bulkheads 6 at 34. Arms 36 are provided at one end of the beam 32 and suitable means 38 (here showing as a hand operated screw 40 and nut 42 arrangement mounted at trunnion 44) are provided to raise or lower the structure. The structure is covered by sheet material 35.
Figure 8 illustrates an optional roof detail for operation in the SBl rail gauge 2. The pivoting roof is modified to positively retain the top section of the double stack pallets or unstable loads. The members 10 of the pivoting roof structure 30 is retained but the curtain track 11 is attached by a bracket 15 which forms a right angle with the roof 10. In this case the assembly 10, 15, 11 can be raised to provide unrestricted side access for loading or after removing the load can be lowered to 6 rail gauge 1 for movement to for instance workshops.
In this and all roof options the pivoting roof assembly has a positive stop or pin 50 (Figure 6) preventing the top section of the roof from falling below the desired position. The positive stop location is loaded by conventional tensioning devices (usually vertical straps and buckles) within the curtain 12.
The example mainly illustrates a rail wagon consisting of two platforms assembled as close coupled twin set, with two bogies under each platform. Although this arrangement is highly efficient, vehicles using articulated couplings, single wagons or wagons with single axle suspension can also be used.
The example illustrates a wagon with integral frame/body construction for efficiency in weight and volume. The body of the unit could be de-mountable as a swap body on a wagon chassis or flat bed rail vehicle.
The example illustrates a wagon body with two compartments per platform (with end and central bulkheads) for optimum roof strength/curtain operating length. The wagon body could contain any number of compartments.

Claims

1. A rail transport unit for transporting a load comprising a body for mounting on wheels, the body comprising an under- frame, a roof and vertical roof support means mounted to the under-frame for supporting the roof, the roof having a longitudinal edge structure on each side, the height of the outer longitudinal edge of the structure is adjustable with respect to the roof.
2. A unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the edge structure is demountable with respect to the body.
3. A unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the edge structure is pivotally mounted to the body.
4. A unit as claimed in claim 3 wherein means are provided to cause the outer longitudinal edge of the structure to rise or fall with respect to a fully loaded condition of the unit.
5. A unit as claimed in claim 3 or 4 wherein the edge structure is provided at its outer longitudinal edge with normally vertically depending structure.
6. A unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the body further comprises sides extending along each side of the unit.
7. A unit as claimed in claim 6 wherein the sides are curtain sides dependent from the edge structure.
8. A unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the body forms a part of a rail freight wagon.
9. A unit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the body forms a part of or is a swap body for alternatively rail or road mounting.
PCT/GB1998/003606 1997-12-05 1998-12-04 Rail transport unit for transporting palletised or high volume loads WO1999029553A1 (en)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE69812156T DE69812156D1 (en) 1997-12-05 1998-12-04 TRANSPORT UNIT MOVABLE ON THE TRACK TO TRANSPORT PALLETED OR LARGE VOLUME LOADS
AT98957022T ATE234212T1 (en) 1997-12-05 1998-12-04 TRANSPORT UNIT MOVABLE ON TRAILS FOR TRANSPORTING PALLETIZED OR LARGE-VOLUME LOADS
EP98957022A EP1034105B1 (en) 1997-12-05 1998-12-04 Rail transport unit for transporting palletised or high volume loads
AU13450/99A AU1345099A (en) 1997-12-05 1998-12-04 Rail transport unit for transporting palletised or high volume loads

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9725702.6 1997-12-05
GBGB9725702.6A GB9725702D0 (en) 1997-12-05 1997-12-05 Rail freight vehicle for trandporting palletised or high volume loads

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1999029553A1 true WO1999029553A1 (en) 1999-06-17

Family

ID=10823117

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB1998/003606 WO1999029553A1 (en) 1997-12-05 1998-12-04 Rail transport unit for transporting palletised or high volume loads

Country Status (6)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1034105B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE234212T1 (en)
AU (1) AU1345099A (en)
DE (1) DE69812156D1 (en)
GB (1) GB9725702D0 (en)
WO (1) WO1999029553A1 (en)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2123466A (en) * 1982-07-15 1984-02-01 Fruehauf Corp Curtain sided railway goods vehicle
FR2531390A1 (en) * 1982-08-04 1984-02-10 Inge Trans Sa Lateral canopy carrier structure for any especially rail vehicle.
GB2179630A (en) * 1985-07-31 1987-03-11 Linke Hofmann Busch Containers
DE19513144A1 (en) * 1994-05-03 1995-11-30 Transtech Ltd Oy Railway goods wagon with moving side covers for esp. timber transport

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2123466A (en) * 1982-07-15 1984-02-01 Fruehauf Corp Curtain sided railway goods vehicle
FR2531390A1 (en) * 1982-08-04 1984-02-10 Inge Trans Sa Lateral canopy carrier structure for any especially rail vehicle.
GB2179630A (en) * 1985-07-31 1987-03-11 Linke Hofmann Busch Containers
DE19513144A1 (en) * 1994-05-03 1995-11-30 Transtech Ltd Oy Railway goods wagon with moving side covers for esp. timber transport

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1034105A1 (en) 2000-09-13
DE69812156D1 (en) 2003-04-17
GB9725702D0 (en) 1998-02-04
AU1345099A (en) 1999-06-28
ATE234212T1 (en) 2003-03-15
EP1034105B1 (en) 2003-03-12

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