Abstract: A trapdoor assembly for use on railcars is provided. The trapdoor assembly is pivotable between an up position and a down position. In the up position, the trapdoor assembly provides access to stairs on the railcar so that passengers can egress between the railcar and a ground level platform at a rail station. In the down position, the trapdoor assembly covers the stairs and provides a platform so that passengers can egress between the railcar and an elevated platform at a rail station. The trapdoor assembly also includes an extendible platform for bridging the gap between the railcar and the elevated station when the trapdoor is in the down position and the railcar is stopped at the elevated station.

Abstract: An autorack railroad car has a housing surmounting an underframe. The underframe defines a first or main deck. The housing, or “rack” defines at least one additional deck spaced upwardly from the main deck. The housing has end doors. The end doors may be folding end doors, such as a tri-fold hinged door. When closed, the door may be secured by latches at top and bottom. The car may have a movable sill-step, or foot-hold that is movable between a deployed or extended position, and a stowed or retracted position. The movable step may be mounted to a panel of the door. The movable step may be biased away from any position between the stowed and retracted positions. The movable step may be free of springs that may break, and free of pins or other items requiring careful removal and replacement. The movable parts of the step assembly may be captured by the stationary parts to prevent them from coming loose or falling off.

Abstract: A passenger ingress and egress system within a transit vehicle having a stairwell employs a movable platform apparatus in combination with at least one door of a sliding or plug type to accommodate variations in passenger ingress and egress platform facilities. The movable platform apparatus disposed under the floor section of the transit vehicle for interface with the low platform is deployed outwardly toward the outer surface of the transit vehicle for interface with the high platform. The travel of such movable platform apparatus can be achieved manually or assisted by a power drive mechanism. A locking means is provided for securing such movable platform apparatus at both deployed and stowed positions and can be manually overridden via a cable connected to the remotely mounted handle. Obstruction detection means is further provided to prevent deployment of the movable platform apparatus upon passenger presence within the stairwell.

Abstract: A stepwell cover apparatus for use in a vehicle having a stepwell including a step that is located below the floor of the vehicle. The apparatus includes a horizontal cover that may be retracted to a position below the floor in order to expose the steps of the stepwell and may be extended to a position flush with the floor in order to conceal the steps of the stepwell. In addition, the stepwell cover apparatus includes a drive mechanism for driving the horizontal cover between the fully extended and the fully retracted positions, a guide mechanism for guiding the horizontal cover during movement and pivot members that cooperate with the drive and guide mechanisms to raise the horizontal cover to a level flush with the floor when the cover reaches the fully extended position.

Abstract: An improved door assembly having a single movable door and a separate movable high platform threshold.

Abstract: A door system for a railway car which provides for both high and low level access. The door system comprises a sliding door, a platform displaceable between raised and lowered positions for respectively clearing and covering the stairwell of the railway car, and a threshold extending laterally outwardly of the sliding door to provide a continuation of the platform when displaced to its lowered position. The threshold is releasably connected to the sliding door for co-linear movement with the sliding door when the platform is raised, while remaining stationary in a functional position when the platform is lowered for enabling high level boarding.

Abstract: A door system for a railway car which provides for both high and low level access. The door system comprises a sliding door, a platform displaceable between raised and lowered positions for respectively clearing and covering the stairwell of the railway car, and a threshold extending laterally outwardly of the sliding door to provide a continuation of the platform when displaced to its lowered position. The threshold is releasably connected to the sliding door for co-linear movement with the sliding door when the platform is raised, while remaining stationary in a functional position when the platform is lowered for enabling high level boarding.

Abstract: A stepwell cover mechanism is provided for selectively covering a stepwell cavity in a trailer. The cover mechanism broadly comprises: a cover plate (with an outboard and inboard end) for covering the stepwell cavity; an activator for selectively positioning the cover plate between a retracted position (below floor level and inboard of the stepwell cavity) and an extended position (substantially flush with floor level); and a guide assembly for accurately moving the outboard and inboard ends of the cover plate between the retracted and extended positions. The guide assembly further comprises a first guide assembly for positioning the outboard end of the cover plate between the retracted and extended positions and a second guide assembly for positioning the inboard end of the cover plate between the retracted and extended positions.

Abstract: A step-platform operator 17 for transit vehicles for driving a step 19 and a platform 18 between open and closed positions, includes a reversible drive motor 42 driving the step and platform through a lever and linkage for providing differential motion between step and platform during the last portion of the closing cycle and the initial portion of the opening cycle and allowing a mechanical interlock between step and platform in fully closed position. Both platform and step are driven from a single drive unit. Additionally, the lever and linkage assembly utilizes the weights of the platform and the step to counterbalance each other and allow the use of a low power reversible drive motor to power the system.

Abstract: A railway car includes conventional steps leading from a lower station platform to the floor level in a vestibule. A lift platform adapted to receive a seat or wheel chair is provided to lift a handicapped person who has difficulty going up or down steps. A motor is provided for moving the lift platform over the steps between the lower level and floor level while maintaining it in a horizontal position.

Abstract: An entrance step arrangement particularly for short distance vehicles, especially rail vehicles, which has at least one intermediate step, a cover for covering up the step or steps, a foldable guard plate, and transmission elements interposed between a drive and movable element, and safety devices for preventing faulty actuation of the cover, guard plate, and transmission elements. The axes of rotation of the movable elements are arranged horizontal and parallel to the outer contour of the vehicle. The guard plate which is foldable outwardly carries a step, and the step cover is pivotable inwardly behind the tread edge of the floor of the vehicle.

Abstract: A stepwell cover comprising a deck consisting of first and second deck segments having edges pivotally secured together adjacent a central portion of the deck, and an actuating mechanism arranged to move a first deck segment through an angle of ninety degrees while simultaneously moving the second deck segment through an angle of one hundred eighty degrees relative to the first deck segment for moving the stepwell cover between a first position covering the stepwell and a second position providing access to the stepwell. The first deck segment is pivotally secured to the vehicle and a chain or cable is secured to a sprocket on a shaft secured to the second deck segment for moving the second deck segment relative to the first deck segment.