Apparatus for Covering a Connection Between Railcars
An apparatus comprises an interior panel being configured to at least cover a portion of a side of a gangway between at least a first passenger car and a second passenger car. Reel mechanisms are in engagement with the interior panel. The reel mechanisms are operable to curl portions of sides of the interior panel to accommodate a change in distance between the passenger cars. Curling devices are in engagement with the reel mechanisms and are configured to urge the reel mechanisms to curl sides of the interior panel. At least one connection rod mechanism is in engagement with the reel mechanisms and is configured to be operable to support a middle portion of the interior panel. Connection fixing devices are configured to join the reel mechanisms to the passenger cars.
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REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER LISTING APPENDIXNot applicable.
COPYRIGHT NOTICEA portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office, patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONOne or more embodiments of the invention generally relate to railcars. More particularly, one or more embodiments of the invention relate to a side panel for connecting two railcars.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe following background information may present examples of specific aspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, approaches, facts, or common wisdom) that, while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon. Passenger trains and other types of trains often comprise multiple railcars. It is believed that passengers and/or train crew members may sometimes need or desire to move from one railcar to another. For example, without limitation, a passenger may wish to move to a different railcar for better seating or a crew member may need to move between railcars to collect tickets or to perform maintenance. Passenger trains typically comprise vestibules between the railcars through which passengers and crew members may walk from one railcar to another. This vestibule is herein referred to as a gangway.
The following is an example of a specific aspect in the prior art that, while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon. By way of educational background, an aspect of the prior art generally useful to be aware of is that some prior art gangways comprise panels with multiple pieces. Other prior art gangways comprise side panels that rely upon a series of telescopic springs, guide sleeves and wire ropes to control the movement of the panels. Due to the common unreliability of springs and wire ropes and the omnipresent danger of breakage, one may expect that these springs and wire ropes may weaken over time and may need constant adjustment or replacement. Moreover, springs and wire ropes are often complicated to set up and maintain. Another prior art gangway comprises a flexible, one-piece side panel, which contacts with a railcar body via a connection mechanism that is simpler than springs and wire ropes. The side panel is made of deformable material, which bends towards the middle of the gangway around a vertical axis, which may cause the clear width of the gangway to be reduced and thus reduce the effective passenger area within the gangway. This may be inconvenient for passengers and train crewmembers walking through the gangway. This may also cause concern for passenger safety or an uneasy feeling in some passengers when in the gangway. Furthermore, the deflection of the side panel may change the aesthetics of the railcar interior.
In view of the foregoing, it is clear that these traditional techniques are not perfect and leave room for more optimal approaches.
The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:
Unless otherwise indicated illustrations in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTSEmbodiments of the present invention are best understood by reference to the detailed figures and description set forth herein.
Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to the Figures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limited embodiments. For example, it should be appreciated that those skilled in the art will, in light of the teachings of the present invention, recognize a multiplicity of alternate and suitable approaches, depending upon the needs of the particular application, to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein, beyond the particular implementation choices in the following embodiments described and shown. That is, there are numerous modifications and variations of the invention that are too numerous to be listed but that all fit within the scope of the invention. Also, singular words should be read as plural and vice versa and masculine as feminine and vice versa, where appropriate, and alternative embodiments do not necessarily imply that the two are mutually exclusive.
It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular methodology, compounds, materials, manufacturing techniques, uses, and applications, described herein, as these may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is a reference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. Similarly, for another example, a reference to “a step” or “a means” is a reference to one or more steps or means and may include sub-steps and subservient means. All conjunctions used are to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, the word “or” should be understood as having the definition of a logical “or” rather than that of a logical “exclusive or” unless the context clearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be construed to express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Preferred methods, techniques, devices, and materials are described, although any methods, techniques, devices, or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein may be used in the practice or testing of the present invention. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
From reading the present disclosure, other variations and modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art. Such variations and modifications may involve equivalent and other features which are already known in the art, and which may be used instead of or in addition to features already described herein.
Although Claims have been formulated in this application to particular combinations of features, it should be understood that the scope of the disclosure of the present invention also includes any novel feature or any novel combination of features disclosed herein either explicitly or implicitly or any generalization thereof, whether or not it relates to the same invention as presently claimed in any Claim and whether or not it mitigates any or all of the same technical problems as does the present invention.
Features which are described in the context of separate embodiments may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination. The Applicants hereby give notice that new Claims may be formulated to such features and/or combinations of such features during the prosecution of the present application or of any further application derived therefrom.
References to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,” “various embodiments,” etc., may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the invention so described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in one embodiment,” or “in an exemplary embodiment,” do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although they may.
As is well known to those skilled in the art many careful considerations and compromises typically must be made when designing for the optimal manufacture of a commercial implementation any system, and in particular, the embodiments of the present invention. A commercial implementation in accordance with the spirit and teachings of the present invention may configured according to the needs of the particular application, whereby any aspect(s), feature(s), function(s), result(s), component(s), approach(es), or step(s) of the teachings related to any described embodiment of the present invention may be suitably omitted, included, adapted, mixed and matched, or improved and/or optimized by those skilled in the art, using their average skills and known techniques, to achieve the desired implementation that addresses the needs of the particular application.
It is to be understood that any exact measurements/dimensions or particular construction materials indicated herein are solely provided as examples of suitable configurations and are not intended to be limiting in any way. Depending on the needs of the particular application, those skilled in the art will readily recognize, in light of the following teachings, a multiplicity of suitable alternative implementation details.
Some embodiments of the present invention relate to auxiliary equipment between railcars. One embodiment provides a one-piece side panel of flexible bellow, which is mounted inside a gangway between two railcars. In some embodiments, the one-piece side panel comprises an internal panel, a reel, a curling device, a connection rod mechanism and a fixing device. For current technology, side panels often bend towards the middle of the gangway, which may reduce the width of the gangway. In some embodiments of the present invention, the one-piece side panel may limit internal panel bending towards the middle of the gangway, which may provide a more comfortable environment for passengers and train crew members.
In the present embodiment, internal panel 5 is made of a resilient and flexible material such as, but not limited to, fiber glass, other composite materials, rubber, plastic, various metals, etc. Internal panel 5 is pre-deformed to generally ensure that internal panel 5 remains curled on reel 6 as far as possible. When internal panel 5 is curled, the area on reel 6 is typically thinner than the area in the center to generally ensure that internal panel 5 may be curled and deformed. Referring to
In the present embodiment, referring to
Referring to
In the present embodiment, torsion spring shaft 26 is fixed to connection rod bracket 8 by a set screw 29. Torsion spring shaft 26 is typically long enough to extend out from both ends of connection rod bracket 27, where torsion springs 9 may be placed. Torsion springs 9 also mount to reel 6 and act as a curling device for reel 6 to assist reel 6 in curling to provide flexibility to the internal panel. Torsion springs 9 are located symmetrically on each sides of connection rod bracket 8 on torsion spring shaft 26. In some embodiments it is contemplated that various different types of curling devices may be implemented such as, but not limited to, a single torsion spring, more than two torsion springs, tension and compression springs, cantilever springs, etc. In the present embodiment, torsion springs 9 take connection rod mechanism 7 and reel 6 or connection rod bracket 27 as the stress point of torsion to provide a reel curling force, and the torque withstood by reel 6 realizes the curling function of the internal panel and connects the internal panel and reel 6 at two sides similar to a retractable roller blind of two spools with preshrinking force to absorb movement deformation between two railcars during vehicle operation. Typically the torsion force of torsion springs 9 is applied separately on connection rod mechanism 7 and reel 6. For example, without limitation, the torsion of the two ends of torsion spring shaft 26 is typically applied to reel 6, and the middle torsion is typically applied to connection rod mechanism 7.
Referring to
All the features disclosed in this specification, including any accompanying abstract and drawings, may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.
Having fully described at least one embodiment of the present invention, other equivalent or alternative methods of providing a side panel for connecting vehicles according to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The invention has been described above by way of illustration, and the specific embodiments disclosed are not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed. For example, the particular implementation of the panel may vary depending upon the particular type of vehicle used. The panels described in the foregoing were directed to railcar implementations; however, similar techniques are to provide side panels for connecting various different types of vehicles such as, but not limited to, large busses, boats, barges, tractor-trailers, etc. Non-railcar implementations of the present invention are contemplated as within the scope of the present invention. The invention is thus to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the following claims.
Claim elements and steps herein may have been numbered and/or lettered solely as an aid in readability and understanding. Any such numbering and lettering in itself is not intended to and should not be taken to indicate the ordering of elements and/or steps in the claims.
Claims
1. An apparatus comprising:
- an interior panel being configured to at least cover a portion of a side of a gangway between at least a first passenger car and a second passenger car;
- reel mechanisms in engagement with said interior panel, said reel mechanisms being operable to curl portions of sides of said interior panel to accommodate a change in distance between the passenger cars;
- curling devices in engagement with said reel mechanisms and being configured to urge said reel mechanisms to curl sides of said interior panel;
- at least one connection rod mechanism in engagement with said reel mechanisms and being configured to be operable to support a middle portion of said interior panel; and
- connection fixing devices being configured to join said reel mechanisms to the passenger cars.
2. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, in which said reel mechanisms comprise a first reel being positionable in a generally vertical orientation for engagement with the first passenger car, and a second reel being positionable in a generally vertical orientation for engagement with the second passenger car.
3. The apparatus as recited in claim 2, in which said curling devices comprise a first curling device being joined to said first reel and a first end of said connection rod mechanism, and a second curling device being joined to said second reel and a second end of said connection rod mechanism.
4. The apparatus as recited in claim 3, in which said curling devices comprise torsion springs.
5. The apparatus as recited in claim 4, further comprising torsion spring shafts along vertical axis of said reels upon which said torsion springs are disposed.
6. The apparatus as recited in claim 2, further comprising at least one roller device being in engagement with said connection rod mechanism and said middle portion of said interior panel for supporting said middle portion.
7. The apparatus as recited in claim 6, in which said roller device comprises a roller, a crank arm having two rotating shafts, and a roller bracket, a first of said rotating shafts being in engagement with said roller bracket, a second of said rotating shafts being in engagement with a midpoint of said connection rod mechanism.
8. The apparatus as recited in claim 7, further comprising a guide device being joined to said internal panel in which said roller device rolls.
9. The apparatus as recited in claim 8, in which said guide device comprises a guide rail.
10. The apparatus as recited in claim 6, further comprising an additional connection rod mechanism in engagement with said reel mechanisms, and an additional roller device.
11. The apparatus as recited in claim 10, in which each of said connection rod mechanisms comprises at least two scissor-shaped connection rods.
12. The apparatus as recited in claim 11, in which said midpoint of said connection rod mechanism comprises a link point.
13. The apparatus as recited in claim 2, in which said connection fixing devices rotatably join said reel mechanisms to the passenger cars.
14. The apparatus as recited in claim 13, in which said connection fixing devices comprises brackets and a pin forming a hinge.
15. The apparatus as recited in claim 2, in which a middle portion of said internal panel is rigid and side portions engaging said reels are flexible.
16. The apparatus as recited in claim 2, in which said reels comprise a sub-circular shape.
17. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, in which the passenger cars are railcars.
18. An apparatus comprising:
- means for covering a portion of a side of a gangway between at least a first railcar and a second railcar;
- means for curling portions of sides of said covering means to accommodate a change in distance between the railcars;
- means for urging said reel mechanisms to curl sides of said covering means;
- means, in engagement with said curling means, for supporting a middle portion of said covering means; and
- means for joining said curling means to the railcars.
19. An apparatus comprising:
- an interior panel being configured to at least cover a portion of a side of a gangway between at least a first railcar and a second railcar;
- two reel mechanisms, each joined to a side of said interior panel, said reel mechanisms being operable to curl portions of sides of said interior panel to accommodate a change in distance between the railcars;
- at least four curling devices in engagement with said reel mechanisms and being configured to urge said reel mechanisms to curl sides of said interior panel;
- at least two connection rod mechanism in engagement with said reel mechanisms and being configured to be operable to support a middle portion of said interior panel; and
- top and bottom connection fixing devices being configured to join said reel mechanisms to the railcars.
20. The apparatus as recited in claim 19, in which a middle portion of said internal panel is rigid and side portions engaging said reels are flexible, in which a first of said reel mechanisms comprises a first reel having a sub-circular shape and being positionable in a generally vertical orientation for engagement with the first railcar, and a second of said reel mechanisms comprises a second reel having a sub-circular shape and being positionable in a generally vertical orientation for engagement with the second railcar, in which each of said curling devices comprise a torsion spring being joined to a one of said reels and to an end of one of said connection rod mechanisms, in which each of said connection rod mechanisms comprises at least two scissor-shaped connection rods, in which said connection fixing devices comprise brackets and a pins forming hinges, the apparatus further comprising torsion spring shafts along vertical axis of said reels upon which said torsion springs are disposed, the apparatus further comprising at least two roller device being in engagement with said connection rod mechanisms and said middle portion of said interior panel for supporting said middle portion in which each of said roller devices comprises a roller, a crank arm having two rotating shafts, and a roller bracket, a first of said rotating shafts being in engagement with said roller bracket, a second of said rotating shafts being in engagement with a middle link point of a one of said connection rod mechanism, the apparatus further comprising at least one guide rail being joined to said internal panel in which said roller devices roll.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 10, 2013
Publication Date: Apr 16, 2015
Inventor: Irwin Tsai (Milbrae, CA)
Application Number: 14/051,430
International Classification: B61D 49/00 (20060101); B61D 17/00 (20060101); B61D 1/00 (20060101);