FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a laterally displaceable railway wagon, which has a load carrier, and front and rear bogies, wherein each bogie comprises a platform rotatably mounted on the bogie. The load carrier is releasably connected to the respective platforms, and laterally displaceable in relation to the respective platforms.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is an environmental benefit to transport vehicles by train. In order to facilitate such transport laterally displaceable railway wagons have been developed. A laterally displaceable railway wagon is a railway wagon that can be laterally displaced by swinging out one end thereof, or more particularly one end of a load carrier that is a part of the whole wagon, such that the vehicle can be driven on board the wagon. Alternatively, the wagon, or a load carrier thereof, is moved in parallel, or it is rotated about a centre seat. Then the wagon is returned to its original position and the train may depart.

WO 2006/031178 discloses a displaceable railway wagon which in large works well. However, the displacement arrangements involve a tilt- preventing device, which comprises a crossbar extending across the end of the load carrier. When the end of the load carrier has been displaced the crossbar is disconnected at one end thereof and pivoted away to a position where it does not prevent the loading/unloading ramp from being lowered or a vehicle from entering or leaving the load carrier. The crossbar is inconvenient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It would be advantageous to provide a load carrier with a more convenient displacement arrangement.

To better address this concern, in a first aspect of the invention there is presented a railway wagon comprising a load carrier, and front and rear bogies, wherein each bogie comprises a platform, which is rotatably mounted, wherein the load carrier is releasably connected to the respective platforms, and laterally displaceable in relation to the respective platforms. The load carrier has a front end and a rear end and is provided, at each end, with a connection portion, and two support devices, which are laterally spaced, and which support the load carrier in a position where it is laterally displaced in relation to the platform. The support devices are vertically operable between an idle position and a support position, in which the support devices abut against the ground. The railway wagon further comprises a displacement device for laterally displacing the load carrier, wherein the displacement device comprises a reciprocating launch device, which is arranged to reciprocate laterally of the platform, a launch device connection mechanism for releasably connecting the connection portion with the launch device, and a platform connection mechanism arranged for releasably connecting the connection portion with the platform. By means of the combination of the launch device and the connection mechanisms a smooth displacement of the load carrier is provided.

In accordance with an embodiment of the railway the launch device is elongated and extends laterally of the platform, wherein the displacement device further comprises a reciprocating feeding device attached to the launch device and to the platform, wherein the launch device is movable, by means of the feeding device, between an idle position, and a laterally displaced position. Thereby the reciprocating movement of the launch device is effectively executed. It is possible to obtain a good lateral reach with a space saving device.

In accordance with an embodiment of the railway wagon the feeding device is a cylinder assembly.

In accordance with an embodiment of the railway wagon the launch device connection mechanism comprises a reciprocating engagement element arranged at the connection portion, and a reception portion at the launch device, wherein the engagement element is reciprocatingly movable to respectively engage with and disengage from the reception portion. This embodiment provides for a simple yet reliable launch device connection mechanism. In accordance with an embodiment of the railway wagon, the reception portion comprises several reception members distributed along the length of the launch device. Thereby, several strokes are possible and the length of the stroke can be rather short, simplifying the construction.

In accordance with an embodiment of the railway wagon the

engagement element is a cylinder assembly, and each reception member comprises an aperture arranged to receive a piston of the cylinder assembly.

In accordance with an embodiment of the railway wagon, the platform connection mechanism comprises an engagement assembly arranged at the connection portion, and a seat arranged at the platform and adapted to receive a piston comprised in the engagement assembly to connect the load carrier with the platform.

In accordance with an embodiment of the railway wagon, the platform comprises a support surface, which supports the launch device.

In accordance with an embodiment of the railway wagon, the platform comprises an elongated guide member extending laterally of the bogie, and the launch device comprises a guide beam extending along the length of the launch device and slidably engaging with the guide member of the platform, wherein the guide member and the guide beam are arc shaped. As understood by the person skilled in the art, the lateral displacement is mostly not completely straight, but the end of the load carrier moves along a radius corresponding to the whole length or half the length of the load carrier.

However, the radius is large and in any case the movement can still be defined as lateral since the load carrier changes its lateral position.

In accordance with an embodiment of the railway wagon, the load carrier comprises opposite side beams, wherein each side beam comprises a protruding end portion at each end thereof, and wherein the connection portion comprises the protruding end portions of the side beams. In other words, each connection portion comprises two end portions, i.e. the end portions of the opposite side beams at one end of the load carrier.

In accordance with an embodiment of the railway wagon the launch device is provided with a laterally elongated top surface portion, and each protruding end portion is provided with a roller arranged to roll on top of the top surface portion.

In accordance with an embodiment of the railway wagon, the launch device comprises a retaining lip extending along a side edge of the launch device, and wherein each protruding end portion comprises a retaining member protruding under the retaining lip overlapping a portion of its bottom surface. This arrangement reduces a risk of the launch device and the connection portion to be displaced relative to each other in the longitudinal direction of the railway wagon such that an offset angle arises. Such an offset angle would complicate the lateral movement of the load carrier.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of laterally displacing the load carrier. The method comprises:

- displacing at least one of the ends of the load carrier by performing at least one reciprocating movement, comprising a feed stroke and a return stroke, with the displacement device, until that end of the load carrier has been moved to a loading/unloading position beside the bogie, comprising:

- connecting the connection portion, if disconnected, with the launch device;

- disconnecting, if connected, the connection portion from the platform;

- performing a feed stroke by moving the launch device laterally from an idle position to a laterally displaced position;

- lowering a first support device of said support devices to the support position;

- disconnecting the connection portion from the launch device;

- performing a return stroke moving the launch device back to its idle position;

- connecting the connection portion with the launch device and performing another feed stroke; and

- lowering the second support device to the support position.

The method provides solutions to problems and advantages

corresponding to those of the railway wagon described above. In accordance with an embodiment of the method it comprises- applying the method of claim 15 for simultaneously displacing both ends of the load carrier;

- disconnecting connections, tubes and cables at both ends of the load carrier from the bogies;

- removing the load carrier and providing a replacement load carrier; and

- assembling the replacement load carrier with the bogies by reversing the above operations of applying the method of claim 15 and disconnecting connections, tubes and cables.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in more detail and with reference to the appended drawings in which:

Figs. 1 to 4 schematically illustrate launching of a load carrier of an embodiment of a railway wagon according to the present invention; and

Figs. 5 to 8 are schematic perspective views of a part of the railway wagon of Fig. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The invention concerns a railway wagon which is designed for the modern concept of loading and unloading of entire vehicles. Figures 1 to 4 show a loading process during which a launching operation takes place as will be described in detail below. The railway wagon 1 comprises a load carrier 2, front and rear bogies 3, 4, releasably connected with the load carrier 2. More particularly, each bogie comprises a rotatable platform 5, 6, thereby constituting front and rear platforms 5, 6, and the load carrier 2 is releasably connected to the front and rear platforms 5, 6 at respective front and rear ends 7, 8 thereof. It should be noted that the railway wagon 1 can be pulled in any direction, i.e. with any one of its ends as the front end. The terms front and rear are only used to identify the two ends in order to facilitate this description of the railway wagon 1. When loading of a vehicle 9, for instance a truck, is to occur, the rear end 8 of the load carrier 2 is released and launched, i.e. laterally displaced, relative to the rear bogie 4 and the rear platform 6. In this case, the load carrier 2 is pivoted on a pivot which is positioned at its front end 7, i.e. the rotatable attachment (not shown per se) of the front platform 5 to the front bogie 3. When the load carrier 2 has been fully launched the truck 9 is driven onto the load carrier 2, and the reversed movement of the load carrier 2 is performed back to the original drive position where the rear end 8 of the load carrier 2 has been fully reconnected with the rear platform 6, and the railway wagon 1 can be pulled away towards the destination of the truck. When the destination has been reached the front end 7 is launched, and the truck 9 can drive off and continue to its final

destination.

The load carrier 2 comprises two spaced-apart opposite side beams

17, 18, providing side walls of the load carrier 2, and a platform part 19, providing a floor of the load carrier 2, extending between the side beams 17,

18. Furthermore, the load carrier 2 comprises a ramp 20, 21 at each end 7, 8 of the load carrier 2. The ramp 20, 21 is used for loading/unloading the load carrier 2, i.e. driving a vehicle on or off the platform part 19.

More particularly, the load carrier 2 is provided, at the front and rear ends 7, 8 thereof, with opposite protruding first and second end portions 11 , 12, 13, 14 of the side beams 17, 18. At each end 7, 8 of the load carrier 2, the two end portions 11 , 12 and 13, 14, respectively, are comprised in a connection portion 15, 16 of the load carrier 2. The connection portion 15, 16, and thus the end portions 11-14, is releasably connected with the respective front and rear platforms 5, 6. The load carrier 2 further comprises two support devices 30, 31 at each end thereof. Each support device 30, 31 is arranged to support the load carrier 2 when it is displaced relative to the platform 5, 6. The support device 30, 31 is vertically operable between an idle position, where it is in an upper most position, and a support position, where it has been lowered into abutment against the ground. It should be noted that the support devices 30, 31 are most schematically shown, for mere illustrative purposes, as well as many other parts of the railway waggon, which are not central for the present invention. Referring now in particular to Figs. 5 to 8, the railway wagon 1 further comprises, at each end thereof, a displacement device 22 for displacing the load carrier 2. The displacement device 22 comprises a reciprocating launch device 23 arranged at the platform 6. The launch device 23 is arranged to reciprocate laterally of the platform 6, and thus laterally of the railway wagon 1. The displacement device 22 further comprises a launch device connection mechanism 24 arranged at the connection portion 16, and more particularly one launch device connection mechanism 24 is provided at each end portion 13, for releasably connecting the end portion 13 with the launch device 23. It should be noted that preferably the connection portion 16 of the side beams 17, 18 is provided with a cover plate 51 closing the space in which, for instance, a part of the launch device connection mechanism is provided. The cover plate can be seen in Figs. 1-4.

The displacement device 22 further comprises a platform connection mechanism 25 arranged at the connection portion 16, and more particularly one platform connection mechanism 25 is provided at each end portion 13, for releasably connecting the end portion 13 with the platform 6. Each platform connection mechanism 25 comprises an engagement assembly 26 attached to the connection portion 16, a laterally extending shelf, or lip, 49 of the platform 6 provided with seats 27, and an anvil portion 52, extending beneath the engagement assembly 26. The shelf 49 is elongated and has a longitudinal extension, i.e. length, in the lateral direction of the railway wagon 1 , and a lateral extension, i.e. width, in the longitudinal direction of the railway wagon 1. The engagement assembly 26 comprises a motor 34 with a rotating drive shaft 34a, and a piston 35, in threaded engagement with the drive shaft 34a, and reciprocatingly driven by the motor 34 via the drive shaft 34a. The seats 27 are adapted to receive an end of the piston 35 to connect the load carrier 2 with the platform 6. In other words, an engagement is obtained between the connection portion 16 and the platform 6, and more particularly the shelf 49 of the platform 6. The engagement is activated by driving down the piston 35 to engage with one of the seats 27 and push the shelf 49 against the anvil portion 52. Thus, when the platform connection mechanism 25 is in a locked state, the shelf 49 is clamped between the piston 35 and the anvil portion 52.

The launch device 23 is elongated and extends laterally of the platform 6. The displacement device 22 further comprises a reciprocating feeding device 29 attached to the launch device 23 and to the platform 6, wherein the launch device 23 is movable, by means of the feeding device 29, between an idle position, and a laterally displaced position. In the idle position, the launch device 23 is resting within the width of the side beams 17, 18. In the laterally displaced position, the launch device 23 protrudes beyond that width at one side or the other of the railway wagon 1. That is, the launch device 23, and thus the load carrier 2, can be laterally displaced to both sides. The feeding device 23 is, for instance, a cylinder assembly.

The launch device connection mechanism 24 comprises a

reciprocating engagement element 28, arranged at the connection portion 16, and more particularly one engagement element 28 is arranged at each end portion 12, and a reception portion 32 at the launch device 23. The

engagement element 28 is movable to respectively engage with and disengage from the reception portion 32 of the launch device 23. The reception portion 32 comprises several reception members 33 distributed along the length of the launch device 23. The engagement element 28 is a cylinder assembly comprising a cylinder 36 and a piston 37, and each reception member 33 comprises an aperture 38 arranged to receive the piston 37.

The platform 6 comprises a support surface 39 which supports the launch device 23, such that the launch device slides on the support surface 39. Other alternatives are of course feasible, such as a suitable kind of roller bearings, however the forces are high so it is difficult to make them last.

However, when providing the solution of sliding surfaces, the friction can be reduced in different ways as known to the person skilled in the art.

The platform 6 comprises at least one elongated guide member 41 extending laterally of the bogie 4, and the launch device 23 correspondingly comprises at least one complementary guide beam 42 extending along the length of the launch device 23 and slidably engaging with the guide member 41 of the platform 6. The guide member 41 and the guide beam 42 are arc shaped. In this embodiment, the launch device 23 comprises two such guide beams 42, distanced by the reception portion 32. Each guide beam 42 comprises a bottom plate 53, having longitudinal edge portions 54, which protrude to the sides of the guide beam 42. Furthermore, the platform 6 comprises four such guide members 41 , one at each longitudinal side of the guide beams 42. Each guide member 41 provides a groove 55 facing the guide beam 42. The edge portion 54 extends into the groove 55.

The launch device 23 has at least one laterally elongated top surface portion 43, extending along the launch device 23. In this embodiment the launch device 23 comprises two such elongated top surface portions 43 extending parallel to each other at a distance from each other, and

constituting top surfaces of the guide beams 42. Each end portion 11 -14 comprises two rollers 44 arranged at a distance from each other in the longitudinal direction of the side beam 17, 18, and arranged to roll on top of the respective top surface portions 43. This means that the weight of the load carrier is carried by the rollers at the end portions 11 -14 of the side beams 17, 18, i.e. at the connection portions 15, 16 of the load carrier 2.

Furthermore, the launch device 23 comprises a retaining lip 45 extending along a longitudinal side edge of the launch device 23, and each protruding end portion 11-14 comprises a retaining member 46 protruding under the retaining lip 45 overlapping a portion of a bottom surface of the retaining lip 45. The retaining lip 45 is arranged at the longitudinal side of the launch device 23 that is closest to the very end of the railway wagon 1 , and extends adjacent to one of the top surfaces 43.

This retaining construction prevents the connection portion 16 of the load carrier 2 and the platform 6 from becoming vertically angled relative to each other. Such an angled position could make it difficult to laterally displace the load carrier 2. The width of the retaining member 46, i.e. its extension in the lateral direction of the railway wagon, is but a small fraction of the length of the retaining lip 45. If a situation would occur where the retaining member 46 would exert a lifting force, i.e. an upward force, on the retaining lip 45, and thus on the launch device 23, then the engagement between the guide elements 41 and the edge portions 54 of the bottom plates 53 will keep the launch device 23 engaged with the platform 6.

Referring again to Figures 1 to 4, according to an embodiment of a method of laterally displacing the load carrier 2, it is displaced as follows. This embodiment is described for the alternative of displacement, or launching, where one of the ends 7, 8 of the load carrier 2 is displaced, while there are several other alternatives as mentioned above. Generally, the end 8 of the load carrier 2 is disconnected, and the displacement device 22 is activated to displace the load carrier 2. In some greater detail, several reciprocating movements, each comprising a feed stroke and a return stroke, are performed with the displacement device 22, until the end 8 of the load carrier 2 has been moved to a loading/unloading position beside the platform 6. For each reciprocating movement some operations are then performed, including the following operations.

The connection portion 16 of the load carrier 2 is connected with the launch device 23, by activating the launch device connection mechanism 24 of each end portion 13, 14 comprised in the connection portion 16. More particularly, the piston 37 of the cylinder assembly 28 arranged at the end portion 13 is driven into the aperture 38 of one of the reception members 33. Each platform connection mechanism 25 is activated to disconnect. More particularly, at each end portion 13, 14 the screw 35 of the engagement assembly 26 is retracted from the seat 27 of the shelf 49 such that the engagement between the screw 35 and the seat 27 is released.

Then a first feed stroke is performed by means of the feeding device 29. The position shown in Fig. 1 has now been reached. The support device 30 closest to the first side beam 13, which has now been moved outside of the platform 6, is lowered from its idle position to its support position in contact with the ground. In this position of the load carrier 2 the support device 30 is also beside the rails 50 of the railroad. Then, the platform connection mechanism 25 remaining within the width of the platform is activated to connection, i.e. the screw is driven down into a corresponding seat 27 of the shelf 49, which is in position, to clamp the shelf 49 again, and the connection portion 16 is disconnected from the launch device 23 A return stroke is then performed by the feeding device 29. Due to the clamping of the shelf 49 the risk of pulling back the carrier 2 is eliminated. During this return stroke the rollers 44 of the first end portion 13 rolls off the top surface portion 43 of the launch device 23 and the rollers 44 of the second end portion 14 rolls along the top surface portion 43. Simultaneously, the retaining member 46 of the end portion 13 that is first leaving the platform 6 is displaced from the retaining lip 45.

A second reciprocating movement is then performed. This includes reconnecting the launch device connection mechanism 24 of the second end portion 14, such that the load carrier 2 is again interconnected with the launch device 23, releasing the platform connection mechanism 25, and driving the feeding device 29 through a second feed stroke to again move the launch device 23 laterally of the platform 6 in the same direction as during the first feed stroke, thereby further laterally displacing the load carrier 2. Then the launch device connection mechanism 24 is switched again to be

disconnected, etc., and a second return stroke is performed.

A third feed stroke, and a third return stroke are performed in a similar way. During a fourth feed stroke the second end portion 14 too is moved to a position beside the platform 6, the second support device 31 is lowered to the ground and the launch device 23 is returned to its original position, as shown in Fig. 3. The ramp 21 is then lowered to the ground and the truck 9 is driven on board the railway wagon 1 , as shown in Fig. 4.

After the loading, the load carrier 2 is returned to the drive position in a converse manner. When the launch device 23 is driven out to re-engage with the rollers 44 of each end portion 13, 14, the rollers 44 are advantageous. In addition, the top surface portion 43 may be designed to slope at its end, further enhancing that operation.

It should be noted that depending on the structure of the feeding device, the launching operation may contain both more and fewer strokes than four.

The method of displacing the load carrier 2 is useful for replacing the load carrier 2 with another one. The operations of the method are simply performed at both ends of the railway wagon 1 at the same time. This results in a parallel displacement of the load carrier 2 to a position where it is fully disconnected from the bogies 3, 4. All that remains is to disconnect tubes and cables which extend along the railway wagon from one bogie 3 via the load carrier to the other bogie 4. The load carrier 2 is then transported away and another load carrier is positioned for being connected to the bogies 3, 4, i.e. to the platforms 5, 6 and launch devices of the bogies 3, 4. This replacement of load carriers can be done for any applicable purpose, for instance to perform repairs or maintenance, or to change the length of the load carrier. In the latter case, one of the bogies 3, 4 will have to be moved along the railway to adapt the distance between the bogies to the length of the load carrier.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive; the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments.

For example, the feeding device can be of another kind such as a roller screw.

Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measured cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.