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 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 drawbar comprises a main cylinder with a moving rod equipped with a coupling ring for coupling same to a second vehicle. The drawbar comprises a latching device with safety ratchet which is automatically activated by latching in the event of failure of said main cylinder, in order to prevent the exit of the moving rod. The drawbar is mounted to pivot with respect to the road vehicle to which it is fitted and further comprises an immobilisation device provided to prevent any pivoting of the drawbar when the movable rod of said drawbar is in the retracted position.

Abstract: The drawbar attached to the second road vehicle comprises a coupling eye at its end, while the crossbar attached to the first road vehicle comprises a drawbar coupling intended to accept the coupling eye of the first road vehicle that locks when the two road vehicles are coupled. An automatic locking mechanism is provided to lock the coupling eye to the drawbar coupling automatically when it enters the drawbar coupling once the coupling eye and the drawbar coupling have been brought closer together.

Abstract: A coupling device includes a hitch yoke secured to a first road vehicle, and a drawbar secured to a second road vehicle. The coupling device also includes roll travel device in the drawbar for the roll travel of one vehicle relative to the other and a yaw travel device in the drawbar for the yaw travel of one vehicle relative to the other. It further includes a first pitch travel device provided such that it is secured to the hitch yoke for the pitch travel of the first road vehicle relative to the hitch yoke and a second pitch travel device in the drawbar for the pitch travel of the second road vehicle relative to the distal end of the drawbar, said second pitch travel device being separate from the first one.

Abstract: A method includes grasping, with a handling machine, the removable shell of the pocket wagon, lifting it and setting it down outside the receptacle of the railway structure, preferably on the platform or at an angle across the railroad tracks. The method also includes equipping a locking device on the kingpin of the semi-trailer previously disconnected from its road tractor and loading the semi-trailer by means of a handling machine, by causing it to roll on the bottom wall of the removable shell. The method further includes attaching the locking device to the removable shell, and grasping the loaded shell with the handling machine, lifting it and loading it on the pocket wagon by engaging it in the receptacle of the railway structure.

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 invention relates to a motorized axle for a vehicle comprising a casing incorporating a rotational movement transmission, on each side of the casing, an axle piece comprising a free end equipped with a hub and another end mounted on said casing, each axle piece comprising members for establishing a kinematic link between the corresponding hub and the rotational movement transmission, an electric, pneumatic or hydraulic motor mounted on the casing, having an axis of rotation parallel to the axis of the axle, said motor being connected to the rotational movement transmission by means of a kinematic link that can be at least partially disengaged and at least one auxiliary device of said vehicle, able to be driven by said motor.

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: 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 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: 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 concerns a rail crossing device designed for crossing a first rail embedded in a road surface with a guide rail, embedded in the road surface. It comprises at least one extensible portion provided in the guide rail and at least one mechanism designed for lengthwise extension and contraction of the extensible portion. This mechanism is designed to extend and contract the extensible portion in a lengthwise direction, defining a contracted position in which one end of the guide rail is separated from the first rail to allow a vehicle or any other movable device to travel along this rail, and an extended position in which said end of the guide rail is moved towards the first rail in order to guide a vehicle onto the guide rail.

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.