Fluid-stabilized Car Vestibule

Abstract

An intercar platform of the retractile type for use especially with suspended monorail trains and the like, wherein sway and general misalignments are involved, and characterized by universal extension and interengagement of platform sections that are rendered firm and stable through the operation of hydraulically operated bungees having restrictive damping and positioning effect upon the extended platform sections, and all to the end that the platform is stabilized while permitting the normal sway and misalignments between next adjacent and opposed car ends.

Description

Trains are made up of a multiplicity of open-ended cars, through which the passage of persons therebetween is required. Therefore, passenger trains are provided with intercar platforms, usually overlying the intercar couplings, it being this type of platform with which the present invention is concerned. However, with the advent of free-swinging monorail-type transportation the permissibility of intercar movement has increased to an extent which makes it difficult to accomplish intercar passageway due to the extreme articulation required, and as a consequence limiting stability. Therefore, it is an object of this invention to stabilize a retractile platform of the type referred to, and more particularly to provide a unique mounting therefor with positioning controls that restrict motion and ensure stability despite the combination of motions that persist between the interconnected car ends.

The various objects and features of this invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of the typical preferred form and application thereof, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a typical monorail and car units thereof with the platform of the present invention extended between the opposed ends of interconnected cars.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view taken substantially as indicated by line 2--2 on FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken as indicated by line 3--3 on Fig. 2.

FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 are separate views showing the fundamental conditions to which the bungee means is subjected in controlling the stability of the platform.

This invention relates to monorail transportation and the like wherein a sectional train of vehicles swings from supporting trucks T. The train is made up of articulated sections or cars 10 dependent from a series of spaced trucks T. The monorail support is a continuous wide flange I-beam and the cars 10 are lightweight fuselage bodies comprised of a monoque shell supporting a horizontally disposed floor 12. The bogie or truck T involves in each instance, a frame 13, two pairs of supporting wheels 14, and a lever support 15 for each wheel, etc. The frame 13 is a rigid structure embracing the track member. The supporting wheels are preferably pneumatic tired, and the lever support 15 at each wheel is provided as a leading or trailing arm type support. The bias means for support of the truck from the wheel is a fluid spring, preferably a self-leveling air spring 16. The intercar coupling comprises a high level coupler 17 and separate swings 18 suspending the opposite relatively movable ends of the cars 10 to hang universally from the truck and carry the car body. It will be seen that the multiplicity of cars 10 are independently suspended and subject to relative lateral sway and fore and aft motion, and in accordance with the invention sway and general misalignment of a platform P extending between the cars 10 is hydraulically restricted and compensated for by conditioning and bracing the same with bungees as hereinafter described.

As shown and described, the conditioning means involves the bungees Z utilized throughout the controlled system to stabilize the platform P relative to the body of the car 10. There is a pair of opposed bungees Z in each instance; in the horizontal lateral plane, and in the vertical transverse plane. The said bungee Z has three conditions, first (Fig. 4) a soft movement-restrictive condition, second (Fig. 5) a stiffened movement-restrictive condition, and third (Fig. 6) a braced centering condition.

The intercar platform P involves, generally, a carriage X that is articulately mounted in the end of the car 10, a deck Y that is extensible and retractile on said carriage, and one or more bungees Z that restrictively position the carriage X to stabilize the deck Y thereon. As is clearly illustrated, the opposed ends of the cars to be interconnected are provided with identical or like elements X, Y and Z, and which are in effect right and left handed with respect to each other when the car ends are brought into opposition for coupling and interconnection of the said platforms. Therefore, a description of the platform elements as they are related to one car will be sufficient, it being that all car platforms are constructed alike. A feature of this invention is that said deck Y is in each instance completely retractile and also capable of extension when required, and all of which is hydraulically controlled as to position and firmness, regardless of the intercar positions within tolerable limits.

Referring now to Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings, the platform P comprised of elements X, Y and Z is complete and operative when two car 10 ends are brought together and coupled at 17, and the decks Y extended from the opposed car 10 ends and also coupled wherein they abut end to end. Each car 10 supports a carriage X on which the retractile deck Y is extended, and substantially at the level of or at a step down from the floor 12 of the car. In practice, the carriage X is housed within a chamber immediately below the floor 12, the chamber opening at the end of the car 10 for extraction of the deck Y to thereby extend from the end of the car.

In accordance with the invention, an enclosed passageway or vestibule is provided by provision of a vertical wall 19 extending along and beyond one side edge of the deck Y, preferably a collapsible wall that retracts into a prepared cavity in the car and which alternately extends beyond the platform Y so as to reach and fasten to the opposed car 10 end. A typical flexible and variably extensible bellowslike wall is shown, being of accordion and/or vertically pleated reticulated configuration.

The carriage X is the mounting element of the platform section which extends from the car 10 end in the form of the deck Y. That is, the carriage X is anchored in the said chamber provided in the car end and below the floor 12. The nominal height of the deck Y is established by universally and centrally mounting the carriage X on a ball and socket support 20 at the rearmost center of the car 10 end. The support 20 is beneath the carriage X and the said carriage is normally disposed in a horizontal plane from which it is pivotally displaceable on the center of said ball and socket support 20. A feature of the carriage X is that it is confined to the chamber within the car 10 end, and with guide means 25 thereon that restricts the deck Y to general longitudinal movement. In practice, the carriage is of substantial width with spaced and parallel guides 21 on which the deck Y is movable. It is the carriage X that is restricted in movement by the bungees Z later described, the deck Y being free to move upon said carriage.

The deck Y is the walking surface that is provided for passageway and is of full width for this stated purpose, and of a length to reach the midpoint between next adjacent and opposed car 10 ends, while remaining overlapped somewhat beneath the floor 12 from which it is extended, and so as to remain partially extended into the accommodating chamber throughout normal sway and misalignments. The deck Y is a stiff rectangular panel, suitably surfaced to tread upon, and with spaced parallel rails 23 that embrace the guides 21. Thus, the carriage X and deck Y move together. As shown, the terminal end 24 of the deck Y is transversely disposed with male and female fittings 26 and 27 for universal connection to the decks Y on any other like platform. It will be seen that the decks Y of opposed cars 10 are extensible and adapted to be coupled one to the other, as by means of locks 28 that cooperate with the fittings 26 and 27 respectively.

As shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6 the bungee means Z comprises opposed hydraulically controlled normally yielding dual cylinder and piston means. The said bungees are alike and each is comprised of an inner cylinder 31, a piston and rod 32, and an outer cylinder 33 and ram 34. In accordance with the invention the cylinder 31 and ram 34 are one and the same part, the combination of bungees being telescopically related and with limited extensibility, having stops for the rod 32 and cylinder 31 as shown. The outer cylinders are adjustably pivoted to a mounting on the car 10 as by a ball socketed rod-end bearing 35, while the rods 32 are pivoted to an actuable part of the carriage X as by a ball socketed rod-end bearing 36. Said adjustability of the outer cylinder is by means of a turnbuckle or the like, on the axis of the cylinder. The pairs of opposed cylinders 31 and 33 are independently interconnected by hydraulic transfer lines 37 and 38 respectively, there being orificed restrictory beans 39 and 40 in said lines and at each cylinder respectively; and thus, the transfer of fluid transversely between bungees Z is restricted in each instance.

In accordance with the invention, the inner cylinders 31 are supplied through line 37 with fluid under suitable pressure from an accumulator or the like; while the outer cylinders 33 can be likewise supplied through line 38 with fluid pressure the same as or equivalent to the first mentioned accumulator pressure; or they are forcibly extended by the application of a high fluid pressure from a valve controlled source (not shown). Accordingly, valves are provided and operated so as to thereby extend the outer cylinders 33 so as to center the bearings 36, and for example to center and/or to level the carriage X and deck Y.

Referring to the centering of carriage X and deck Y, a separate bungee means Z is operable transversely and horizontally at opposite sides of carriage X spaced inwardly from the support 20, the bearings 35 being fixed to the body of the car 10 and the bearings 36 being fixed to the opposite sides of the carriage X, respectively. Consequently, when a normal low pressure is applied from an accumulator to the tubular rods 32 to enter into cylinders 31, this pair of bungees Z is biased to telescopically move the cylinders 31 into the cylinders 33 and whereby the transverse and restricted flow of fluid through the rods 32 has its damping effect. In practice, the same or equivalent pressure is normally applied to the cylinders 33, and to the end that the dual cylinder and piston unit (31, 32, 33 and 34) functions in total as a bungee (see Fig. 4). When a stiffened and/or braced centered condition of the platform P is required, the valve to a source of high-pressure fluid is opened to the cylinders 33 so that the bungee means Z is stiffened. In practice, the cylinders 31 are extended from the cylinders 33 and stopped at their limited positions, whereby a centered position of the carriage X and deck Y is reached and established (see Fig. 2). It is to be understood that the bungee conditioning that is shown in Fig. 5 can be applied to the above when circumstances require.

Referring to the leveling of carriage X and deck Y, a separate bungee means Z is operable vertically at opposite sides of the carriage X spaced substantially from the support 20, the bearings 35 being fixed to the body of the car 10 and the bearings 36 being fixed to the opposite sides of the carriage X, respectively. Consequently, when a normal low pressure is applied from an accumulator to the tubular rods 32 to enter into cylinders 31, this pair of bungees Z is biased to telescopically move the cylinders 31 into the cylinders 33 and whereby the transverse and restricted flow of fluid through the rods 32 has its damping effect. In practice, the same or equivalent pressure is normally applied to the cylinders 33, and to the end that the dual cylinders and piston unit (31, 32, 33 and 34) functions in total as a bungee (see Fig. 4). When a stiffened and/or braced horizontal and/or level condition of the platform P is required, the valve to a source of high-pressure fluid is opened to the cylinders 33 so that the bungee means Z is stiffened. In practice, the cylinders 31 are extended from the cylinders 33 and stopped at their limited leveling positions, whereby a horizontal position of the carriage X and deck Y is reached and established (see Fig. 3). It is to be understood that the bungee conditioning that is shown in Fig. 5 can be applied to the above when circumstances require.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the platform P is retractile for storage and it is extensible for use, and that when the platform P is coupled to a like platform P of a next adjacent car 10 a passageway is established as defined by the confining walls 19 at opposite side edges of the joined platforms, respectively. The decks Y of the platforms are releasably coupled by means of the locks 28 that cooperatively connect the fittings 26 and 27, whereby the joined decks move together as a unit held positioned by means 40 which comprises a motor (cylinder and piston) for each deck Y and disposed longitudinally to extend and retract the deck. The means 40 has rod-end bearings universally connecting the same to both the frame of the car 10 or preferably to the carriage X and to the actuable deck Y, to extend and to retract the deck through suitably applied fluid pressure, thereby positioning and simultaneously permitting the required movements of the platform P. The free projected ends of the walls 19 are suitably fastened to the opposite car ends, and they are provided with suitable marginal stiffness. Accordingly, the spaced and opposed ends of the individually suspended cars 10 are free to sway and misalign, while the platform P remains extended therebetween in a stable and useable condition.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any modifications or variations that may appear to those skilled in the art.

Claims

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A stabilized intercar platform for monorail trains and the like wherein independently suspended cars are coupled end to end in opposed spaced relation, and including, a carriage pivotally supported at the floor level of each car, a retractile deck extensibly supported by each carriage and said decks being interengageably coupled to serve as a continuous platform, and control means comprised of a pair of opposed bungees extended between opposite parts of each carriage and the car supporting the same, and each of said means with a rate of movement control damping pivotal movement of the carriage relative to the car, and each with extension means incorporated therein to override said rate of movement control and engaging a stop to stiffen the carriages relative to the cars and preventing undue movement thereof.

2. The stabilized intercar platform for spaced and opposed independently suspended cars as set forth in claim 1, wherein the said bungees are normally charged with an accumulated low pressure supply of fluid thereto, and with a rate of movement control comprising a fluid transfer line operably extending between and having fluid restriction to each of said bungees.

3. The stabilized intercar platform for spaced and opposed independently suspended cars as set forth in claim 1, wherein the said bungees are normally charged with an accumulated low-pressure supply of fluid thereto, and with a rate of movement control comprising a restricted flow line extending therebetween, and wherein the extension means of the said bungees are charged with a high-pressure supply of fluid thereto and forcible to extended platform stabilizing positions, thereby stiffening the platform relative to the cars and preventing undue movement thereof.

4. The stabilized intercar platform for spaced and opposed independently suspended cars as set forth in claim 1, wherein the said bungees each comprise an inner cylinder and piston unit and an outer cylinder and ram unit, the said first mentioned inner cylinder and the said ram being combined as one and the same part, the two said units being charged with accumulated low pressure fluid supplied thereto to extend said units one from the other, and with independent rate of movement controls comprising restricted flow lines extending between the opposite complementary units respectively.

5. The stabilized intercar platform for spaced and opposed independently suspended cars as set forth in claim 1, wherein the said bungees each comprise an inner cylinder and piston unit and an outer cylinder and ram unit, the said first mentioned inner cylinder and the said ram being combined as one and the same part, the two said units being charged with accumulated low-pressure fluid supplied thereto to extend said units one from the other, and with independent rate of movement controls comprising restricted flow lines extending between the opposite complementary units respectively, and wherein the said cylinder and ram units of the control means are forcible to extended stabilizing positions, there being means applying fluid pressure to opposite bungees in excess of said accumulated fluid pressure to extend the ram-cylinder without requiring movement of the first mentioned pistons, thereby stiffening the platform relative to the cars and preventing undue movement thereof.

6. The stabilized intercar platform for spaced and opposed independently suspended cars as set forth in claim 1, wherein the said bungees each comprise an inner cylinder and piston unit and an outer cylinder and ram unit, the said first-mentioned inner cylinder and the said ram being combined as one and the same part, the inner cylinder and piston units being charged with an accumulated low fluid pressure supplied thereto to extend the pistons thereof, the outer cylinder and piston units being operated with an accumulated fluid pressure in excess of the first-mentioned accumulated fluid pressure to extend the rams thereof, and with independent rate of movement controls comprising restricted flow lines extending between the opposite complementary units respectively.

7. The stabilized intercar platform for spaced and opposed independently suspended cars as set forth in claim 1, wherein the said bungees each comprise an inner cylinder and piston unit and an outer cylinder and ram unit, the said first mentioned inner cylinder and the said ram being combined as one and the same part, the inner cylinder and piston units being charged with an accumulated low fluid pressure supplied thereto to extend the pistons thereof, the other cylinder and piston units being operated with an accumulated fluid pressure in excess of the first-mentioned accumulated fluid pressure to extend the ram thereof, and with independent rate of movement controls comprising restricted flow lines extending between the opposite complementary units respectively, and wherein the said cylinder and ram units of the control means are forcible to extended stabilizing positions, there being means applying fluid pressure to opposite bungees in excess of the two said accumulated fluid pressures to extend the ram-cylinder without requiring movement of the first mentioned pistons, thereby stiffening the platform relative to the cars and preventing undue movement thereof.

8. The stabilized intercar platform for spaced and opposed independently suspended cars as set forth in claim 1, wherein the said bungees are disposed horizontally thereby controlling vertical pivotal movements of the carriages.

9. The stabilized intercar platform for spaced and opposed independently suspended cars as set forth in claim 1, wherein the said bungees are disposed vertically at opposite sides of the carriages respectively thereby controlling longitudinal pivotal movements of the carriages.

10. The stabilized intercar platform for spaced and opposed independently suspended cars as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least one of said pair of bungees is disposed horizontally at each carriage thereby controlling vertical pivotal movements of the carriages, and wherein at least one of said pair of bungees is disposed vertically at opposite sides of each carriage thereby controlling longitudinal pivotal movements of the carriages.