Abstract: The ratchet tie-down tensioner includes a ratchet engagement head actuated by a tensioning bar, a tie-down engagement head connected to a tie-down winding shaft, a ratchet engaged with outer inclined teeth of the tie-down engagement head and a ratchet drive mechanism located between the two engagement heads. The drive mechanism includes a self-centering crown floatingly supported in the body and a gear attached to the ratchet engagement head and mounted in the self-centering crown. The gear has a toothing on the outer periphery thereof which is provided to engage with the inner toothing of the self-centering crown, at least one of said toothings comprising curved spring blades. Said tie-down tensioner makes it possible for tensioning cycles to be performed by moving the bar back and forth.

Abstract: The security unit ensures, by blocking the hydraulic flow, that the rod of a cylinder is held in position. It includes two preferably twinned isolation devices, each mounted on one of the hydraulic lines supplying fluid to a chamber of the cylinder. Each isolation device includes two series-connected ball-check valves allowing the flow in the direction of inlet of the fluid into the respective chamber; and a longitudinal, separate rod, inserted between the balls but not linked thereto, and capable of being slidably guided towards each of the balls and driving same. The rod is too short to contact both balls simultaneously when the two valves are closed; but it is sufficiently long to push the ball of the second valve, thereby causing it to open, when it slides under the pushing action of the ball of the first valve upon the latter being controlled to be opened.

Abstract: The two stackable loading level pallet makes it possible to transport one or two stacked cars in a container or airplane pallet. Said pallet is non-motorized, capable of being folded flat, stackable, and capable of being opened out by a forklift truck. In a lower position, the top support structure of said pallet, which is framed and has a completely free central space, fits into the bottom support structure of said pallet, and the top and rear front wheel support devices of the top support structure are inserted onto or in alignment with the bottom wheel support assembly of the bottom support structure and thus form all or part of a lower rolling path that makes it possible to load a motor vehicle onto the top support structure of said pallet via the own movement thereof and without an access ramp.

Abstract: The tie-down hook includes a curved hooking finger whereof the free end, intended to be inserted in oblong through orifices provided in the deck of a transport vehicle, includes a flattened spatula extending laterally on each side by a lateral extension. It also includes an elongated intermediate part with a round or oval section, and a connecting part that is preferably annular whereof the orifice is delimited in its inner part by rounded edges. The upper surface of the spatula that is oriented facing toward the connecting part is rounded in relief when considered in profile. The tie-down hook preferably includes a conventional second curved hooking finger provided opposite the other finger so as to form an S.

Abstract: A system for immobilizing a semi-trailer kingpin on a transport vehicle includes a balance arm and a substantially horizontal rigid linking structure designed to guide the vertical movement of the receiving nacelle, hold it in position above the lifting system in a horizontal plane and take up the forces exerted thereon. The longitudinal rigid linking structure is hingedly linked to the receiving nacelle and to the transport vehicle in order to take up the longitudinal forces from same, and the balance arm includes preloaded springs that take up the forces exerted on the balance arm when the receiving nacelle is temporarily inclined relative to the horizontal plane. The lifting system for lifting the receiving nacelle is mounted pivoting on the railway unit at a pivot pin transverse to the longitudinal axis of the transport vehicle.

Abstract: An impact detection device for a system for locking the kingpin of a semitrailer on a railway unit includes a rigid connecting piece connected to a kingpin receiving structure and a connecting shaft connecting the rigid connecting piece to the railway unit, mounted on the railway unit, received with the ability to pivot in an oblong provided in the rigid connecting piece and capable of moving in the oblong. The device also includes a shear pin that prevents the connecting shaft from moving in the oblong and which breaks in the event of an impact so as to allow the connecting shaft to move in the oblong, a bypass pipe mounted as a bypass on the general pipe of the railway unit, and a cutoff tool secured to the railway unit, which cuts off the bypass pipe when the shear pin is broken and a connecting shaft is moving in the oblong.

Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly for loading and unloading a semi-trailer on a railway wagon, comprising a loading and unloading structure intended to receive the semi-trailer. The loading and unloading structure comprises a lower portion in the form of a support plate intended to carry the semi-trailer and an upper portion in the form of a handling frame intended to be handled and moved by a standard means for handling containers. To this end, the upper portion of the handling frame has a standard container interface intended to be handled and moved by a standard means for handling containers. The support plate and the handling frame are connected either by a fixed link or by a detachable link.

Abstract: The invention relates to a removable supporting cross-member (1) comprising: a built-in adjustable-height fifth wheel (18) for receiving the kingpin of semi-trailer, and front (26, 27) and rear (28) openings for the passage of the fork arms of a forklift truck or tractor. The invention can be used for moving a semi-trailer, positioning the semi-trailer horizontally on a carriage and securing same for transport, as well as for the corresponding operations during unloading, using only a forklift truck or tractor suitably dimensioned for the loads to be supplied. The invention is suitable for use by those involved in intermodal trail transport.

Abstract: A system for loading, unloading and rail transportation of road-hauled semi-trailers, having multiple wagons (1) constituting a railway train, with each of them incorporating at least one pivotable turntable (14) for accommodating a semi-trailer via its wheel assembly. The system also comprises a detachable hitch mounting (9) that can be gripped by a handling machine which carries the detachable mounting and assembles it, after adjustment on the semi-trailer's pivoting turntable. The hitch mounting is assembled on an accommodating platform (8) that is secured immobile to the wagon chassis (2) and independently of the pivoting turntable, in order to support the front of the semi-trailer during rail transportation. This invention is of interest to rail carriers and railway transport equipment manufacturers.

Abstract: The upper lateral collection structure (8) is mounted on a land vehicle (1), notably an urban public transport vehicle, and cooperates, for the purpose of overhead electrical power supply to the vehicle, with fixed contact slippers (16) located along its route. This structure comprises: a conducting track (14) arranged longitudinally (NEW) the upper lateral part of the vehicle and comprising a contact region (15) for the contact slipper; an electrical connection connecting the conducting track to the electrical circuit of the vehicle; an insulating support (24) on which the conducting track is mounted; a means of mechanical connection of the collecting structure to the vehicle; and a damping device which damps out the shocks resulting from the contact slipper and ensures satisfactory contact between the conducting track and the contact slipper. This invention is of benefit to the manufacturers of electrically powered public transport vehicles.

Abstract: A lateral extension (1), for road and rail vehicles, comprising a multitude of individual shafts (5) assembled so as to pivot freely, at each of their extremities, firstly, with regard to the interior extremity secured to the vehicle, on a longitudinal structure (11) that is fixed in relation to the load-carrying platform and, secondly, as regards the exterior extremity, on an edge and connecting rigid longitudinal member (10). The shafts bear, over a portion of their length, on an adjacent flat support surface (13) that is fixed in relation to the load-carrying platform, and are cantilevered towards the exterior over the remainder of their length. The extension can be moved to a deployed position, so that the supporting surface (14) provides a passageway, and, a retracted position of lesser width, and incorporates a railing. A changeover from one position to the other is accomplished by pivoting in a horizontal plane.

Abstract: An auxiliary and motive electric power pick-up structure for articulated and non-articulated land vehicles, such as electric public transport vehicles, that pass close to a collector-shoe-type power supply member mounted on a stationary support (17) along the route of the vehicle and positioned at intervals along the length of the route in order to provide auxiliary and motive electric power to the vehicle by way of the shoe (16). The structure comprises at least one conductor rail mounted on insulating supports (11) attached to the vehicle by suspension points (34), each including an elastic suspension unit (30) and a pneumatic, hydraulic or other type active suspension unit (33). In the case of articulated vehicles, the pick-up structure is divided into power supply segments (14) separated by a conducting link (19) at each articulated unit of the vehicle.

Abstract: A deformable assembly which comprises an assembly of flexible metal leaves which each include a central portion having a side arm that extends from each end. The leaves are placed standing on edge, stacked against one another and attached by a central portion to the end of a plate supported by a wheeled base. The lateral arms of the assembly remain elastically deformable. The deformable assembly preferably comprises an extension of the leaves by acting on the end leaf. An intercommunicating gangway, between two consecutive plates, is manufactured using one or two of the deformable assemblies, each one of which is mounted on one of the opposing ends of the two plates and independent from the other leaf and/or from the other plate.

Abstract: A hydraulic unit (1) mounted on a vehicle with an adjustable platform which is supported by two mechanically separate arms actuated by a separate hydraulic lifting device (5, 6). The hydraulic unit has the supply and return and preferably includes a balance valve (21) for controlling lowering of the platforms; a flow divider (22) enabling a division of the supply fluid into two flows having an identical flow rate, and each supplying one of the hydraulic lifting devices; and a resetting solenoid valve (23) that, when the operator controls the resetting of the hydraulic lifting devices, regardless of the operation direction and position thereof, and isolates one of the hydraulic devices (6) in order to immobilize the same while the other hydraulic lifting device (5 or 6) is adjusted.

Abstract: A system for loading, unloading and rail transportation of road-hauled semi-trailers, having multiple wagons (1) constituting a railway train, with each of them incorporating at least one pivotable turntable (14) for accommodating a semi-trailer via its wheel assembly. The system also comprises a detachable hitch mounting (9) that can be gripped by a handling machine which carries the detachable mounting and assembles it, after adjustment on the semi-trailer's pivoting turntable. The hitch mounting is assembled on an accommodating platform (8) that is secured immobile to the wagon chassis (2) and independently of the pivoting turntable, in order to support the front of the semi-trailer during rail transportation. This invention is of interest to rail carriers and railway transport equipment manufacturers.

Abstract: A junction between successive flat pre-fabricated elements which comprises an elastic transverse insert (9), an approaching mechanism (10) in the form of tie beams (23) and tensioning mechanisms (19). The flat pre-fabricated elements (2) to be assembled each have a transverse channel (3) adapted so as to receive the insert along the end transverse edges (4, 5) thereof, which must face each other after assembly on the ground, and conduits (7) of the tie beams. Each pre-fabricated element is successively arranged, one after the other, and the transverse insert is introduced into the transverse housing (6) formed by transverse channels facing each other. The tie beams are introduced into the conduits, the ends thereof projecting outside the pre-fabricated elements. The tie beams are then tensioned by a tensioning mechanism, at each of the ends thereof, in order to immobilize the flat pre-fabricated elements and thereby connected by the tie beams.

Abstract: A lateral extension (1), for road and rail vehicles, comprising a multitude of individual shafts (5) assembled so as to pivot freely, at each of their extremities, firstly, with regard to the interior extremity secured to the vehicle, on a longitudinal structure (11) that is fixed in relation to the load-carrying platform and, secondly, as regards the exterior extremity, on an edge and connecting rigid longitudinal member (10). The shafts bear, over a portion of their length, on an adjacent flat support surface (13) that is fixed in relation to the load-carrying platform, and are cantilevered towards the exterior over the remainder of their length. The extension can be moved to a deployed position, so that the supporting surface (14) provides a passageway, and, a retracted position of lesser width, and incorporates a railing. A changeover from one position to the other is accomplished by pivoting in a horizontal plane.

Abstract: The articulated connection which is disconnectable and formed of a hitching device (6) with a drawbar component (7) for rapid coupling and uncoupling (5). The articulated connection is carried at the front of the following road module (2) and fixed in terms of orientation with respect to a central longitudinal axis (12) of the leading road module (1), independent of the steering axle of the following road module or of its steering assembly, and it has a rear end (9) of the piece pivot-mounted (14) on the chassis of the following road module (2) and a front end has a complementary coupling and uncoupling mechanism, together with roll and pitch travel mechanism and angular end stop mechanism. This device is applicable to the urban transport of passengers.

Abstract: A prefabricated module (1) to be used in constructing a track for an urban transport vehicle. The module comprises an integral carrier structure (2) made of concrete and comprising two side sills (4) having an upper surface (5), used as a driving pathway for the vehicle wheels, and connecting crossbars (8) which connect and retain the sills substantially parallel to each other. The lower surfaces (6, 39) of the sills and crossbars are ground-bearing surfaces. A guiding rail section (3), mounted on the carrier structure, is preferably symmetrical, has an I section and a lower portion coated with a liner material (13). The modules, whether rectilinear or curved, are to be placed on an existing road layout or in a trench with a compacted bottom, and are connected one after the other to form the driving track.

Abstract: An upper lateral collection structure (8) is mounted to a land vehicle (1), notably an urban public transport vehicle, and cooperates with fixed contact slippers (16), located along a travel route, for supply overhead electrical power to the vehicle. This structure comprises a conducting track (14) arranged longitudinally along the upper lateral part of the vehicle and comprises a contact region (15) for the contact slipper; an electrical connection connecting the conducting track to the electrical circuit of the vehicle; an insulating support (24) on which the conducting track is mounted; a mechanical connection of the collecting structure to the vehicle; and a damping device which damps shock resulting from the contact slipper and ensures satisfactory contact between the conducting track and the contact slipper. This invention is of benefit to the manufacturers of electrically powered public transport vehicles.