The present invention refers to a bi-functional railway-road frame, that can be used for transports both on road and on traditional and high-speed railways.

As known, according to the current art, frames used for railways transports of goods cannot be used for transports on roads, and this has the inconvenience of constraining the chance of passing from one goods transporting mode to the other. This change of mode in fact can occur only in the inter-mode nodes.

Moreover, with current frames for transports on roads, it is possible to handle only 33 or 36 Euro- pallets .

A consequent inconvenience is the great length of transport routes on road, necessary for the capillary distribution of goods starting from inter-mode nodes, and this consequently implies high flows of traffic and high levels of pollution.

Tractors of trucks necessary to cover such long routes must further be adequate to provide sufficient comfort to a driver (sleeping compartments, optional components, etc. ) .

Therefore, object of the present invention is solving the above prior art problems, by providing a bi- functional railway-road frame that allows using a single frame for transporting goods both on roads and on traditional or high-speed railways.

Another object of the present invention is allowing the passage from one good transporting mode to another not only in inter-mode nodes, but practically in every railway station.

Another object of the present invention is reducing the sizes of current railway stations, today enormous for the passage from one transport mode to another, and the consequent use of big machinery for handling containers, caissons and other.

Another object of the present invention is reducing the length of transport routes on roads, that today are necessary for the capillary distribution of goods starting from inter-mode nodes.

Another object of the present invention is reducing the flows of goods traffic and the consequent pollution levels .

Another object of the present invention is allowing to connect the bi-functional frame also to railway bogeys of the TGV type, thereby allowing the transport on rails at a speed equal to the passenger transport speed, in certain cases exceeding the speed limits homologated for current railway goods bogeys.

Another object of the present invention is increasing the useful sizes in transports on roads (40 Euro-pallets versus the current 33 or 36 Euro-pallets) , though keeping the limit outlines.

Another object of the present invention is reducing the need of tractors in trucks equipped with high-comfort and double cabin refurbishments (sleeping compartments, optional components, etc.), given the reduction of the routes to be travelled for distributing goods.

Documents US-A-5 020 445 and WO-A1-96/05094 disclose bi-functional frames according to the preamble of Claim 1, comprising coupling and positioning means to allow the possible movement of the frame on roads and on railways.

The above and other objects and advantages of the invention, as will result from the following description, are obtained with a bi-functional railway-road frame as claimed in Claim 1. Preferred embodiments and non-trivial variations of the present invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

The present invention will be better described by some preferred embodiments thereof, provided as a non- limiting example, with reference to the enclosed drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a top view of the bi-functional railway-road frame according to the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a side view of the bi-functional railway-road frame of Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a side view of the bi-functional railway-road frame of Figure 1, with the reproduction of the movement of the small oscillating frames, and open in its position for fastening to a motor-vehicle tractor;

Figure 4 shows a side view of the small fixed frame necessary for fastening the bi-functional railway-road frame according to the present invention to railway bogeys, for transports on rails;

Figure 5 shows a side view of a preferred application according to the present invention, related to the use of the small fixed frame of Figure 4 to railway bogeys; and

- Figure 6 shows a top view of the preferred application of Figure 5.

With reference to the Figures, it is possible to note that the bi-functional railway-road frame is composed of at least one frame 1 and at least one small fixed frame 14. As shown in Fig. 1, the frame 1 is made by joining at least two, mutually parallel sills 2, connected through at least one suitable and well-sized network of cross members 3. This forms a sturdy carrier structure on which it will be possible to install any type of body (not shown) . The same structure will have to support all various mechanisms that are able to enact its double arrangement.

As shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, the frame 1 has a longitudinal and transverse symmetry, and in particular its ends are symmetrical. In the preferred application according to the present invention shown in Figures 2 and 3, there are at least two, mutually symmetrical small oscillating frames 4, one for each of the ends of the frame 1. The small articulated frame 4 is integrally hinged to the frame 1 through a transverse through-shaft

5, that allows its oscillation, placed next to the end of the part with maximum thickness of the sills 2. The shaft 5 allows the oscillation of the small articulated frame 4 from a completely closed position parallel to the sills 2, as shown in Figure 2, to at least one maximum opening position, as shown in Figure 3.

At least one elastic expansion member, shown in the preferred embodiment according to the present invention illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 as compressed-air cushions

6, allows making the described oscillation movement easier.

At least one fastening and locking member 7, shown in the preferred embodiment according to the present invention illustrated in Figure 2 as suitably shaped mechanical hook, and applied on the side part of the small articulated frame 4 in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, integral with at least one through-shaft 8, and moved by at least one actuating member, shown in the preferred embodiment according to the present invention illustrated in Figure 2 as a small pneumatic cylinder 9, allows locking the same small articulated frame 4 in a completely closed position, through fastening to at least one sturdy seat 10 integral with the sills 2.

The small articulated frame 4, thereby locked and fastened in a completely closed position, is a well firm and integral joining with the frame 1, necessary both to obtain stability in a railway arrangement, and to provide support in a road arrangement, thereby avoiding dangerous movements due to bumps along the route.

At least one pin 11, bracketed integrally with the small articulated frame 4, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, allows fastening the frame 1 to the small fixed frame 14 shown in Fig. 4. The metallic structure 16 of the small fixed frame 14 is shaped in order to be joined to the frame 1 by fastening the pins 11 inside at least one suitable fifth wheel 15. The highest part of the small fixed frame 14 allows fastening to currently used railway bogeys of the TGV type and the like, as shown in Figure 5. The small fixed frame 14 is aimed to remain always fastened to the railway bogey, thereby becoming a permanent modification thereof. The consequent need of interrupting the continuity of the compressed air and electric and electronic wiring plant necessary for the railway train, is satisfied by applying at least one quick interface joint 17 to the upper part of the small fixed frame 14.

With reference to Figure 5, if the small fixed frame 14 must keep a certain position to facilitate fastening to the frame 1, supporting parallelograms 18 equipped with recall springs can be laterally applied.

Figure 6 shows a top view of a preferred embodiment according to the present invention. The change of transport mode from railway to road can preferably occur in a railway station, where it is enough to have a suitable track section next to the road pavement, 150-200 m long in the preferred embodiment according to the present invention. First of all, it is necessary to unfasten the quick joint 17, then to unlock the connection 7 by acting through the small pneumatic cylinder 9, to free the stopper 11 from the fifth wheel 15, and then to pressurize the compressed-air cushions 6. In such a way the frame 1 is pushed upwards, thereby allowing to position at least one bearing foot 21, as shown in Figure 3. By removing pressure to the compressed-air cushions 6, the frame 1 can be lowered till it rests on the bearing feet 21. This operation must be repeated on both ends of the frame 1. The locomotive can advance, the frame 1 having been unconstrained, that thereby looks like a container ready to start.

The motor-vehicle tractor, equipped with its own fifth wheel, can thereby move backwards till it engages the suitable pin 22, integral with the sills 2, shown in Figures 2 and 3. The suitable actuation of the pneumatic suspensions of the motor-vehicle tractor allows lifting the frame 1 and consequently re-positioning the bearing feet 21 at rest. The transport on road can therefore be performed in the bascule mode, in which the frame 1 _. keeps tractor and trailer joined, since the drawbar is made free in its length to allow the complete vehicle to move in road bends. If the frame 1 must be left parked for a long time, it can be placed on the bearing feet 21 by suitably actuating the pneumatic suspensions of the motor-vehicle tractor.

The operation of passing from road transport mode to railway transport mode can be performed by performing the described operations in reverse.

In the lower part of the frame 1, suitable compressed air tanks (not shown in the Figures) must be installed for all air controls, and also a suitable seat (not shown in the Figures) along the frame 1, aimed to house air tubes and electric and electronic wiring necessary for the railway train. All controls (pushbuttons, switches, handles, solenoid valves) and pneumatic and electric plants necessary for operating the various components must also be installed, in suitable positions .