RAILWAY WAGON WITH IMPROVED LAUNCH BEAM POSITIONING

Abstract

A railway wagon for transportation of semi-trailers has a first wagon end, a second wagon end, and a carrying section with a front portion. The carrying section is movable between a closed position in which its front portion is connected to the first wagon end, and an open position in which the front portion is turned out for loading/unloading of a semi-trailer. A beam assembly is configured to support the front portion of the carrying section during its movement. The beam assembly has a top face extending between the ends of the beam assembly. A rolling member is configured to roll on a rolling track arranged at the top face, while the front portion is being moved.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims priority under 35 USC 119(a)-(d) from European patent application no. 22207574.9 filed on Nov. 15, 2022; the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is directed to railway transportation, and more specifically it concerns a railway wagon for transportation of vehicles, in particular semi-trailers.

BACKGROUND

It is well known to provide railway wagons for receiving and carrying semi-trailers during transport. By placing a semi-trailer normally intended for road transport on a railway wagon, a more efficient and environmentally friendly transportation is achieved compared to road transport. Railway is normally used for long distances of transportation. Examples of railway wagons for transport of semi-trailers are given in WO2010/120236A1 and WO2020/084081A1.

It is advantageous to load and unload a semi-trailer on a railway wagon as described above. In this regards a load-carrying section is turned out from and back to the railway wagon. To assist in the turning of the load-carrying section it is advantageous to use a beam arranged in connection with the railway wagon. The front portion of the load-carrying section is configured to be moved along the beam for instance by rollers rolling on the beam.

Even though this system functions quite well, it may happen that a certain misalignment between the beam and load-bearing members of the load-carrying section will occur, which may influence on the movement of the load-carrying section along the beam.

Further background art is disclosed for instance in WO2020/239220A1.

SUMMARY

An object of the invention is to provide a new type of railway wagon which enables secure movement and positioning of the carrying section being moved from the closed position to the open position and vice versa.

This object has now been achieved by the solution set forth in appended claim 1, embodiments being defined in the related dependent claims.

In one aspect, there is provided a railway wagon for transportation of vehicles, in particular road-vehicles such as semi-trailers or the like. The railway wagon comprises a first wagon end, a second wagon end, and a carrying section therebetween. The carrying section has a front portion releasably connected to the first wagon end, and it is movable between a closed position in which the front portion is connected with the first wagon end, and an open position in which the front portion is turned out from the first wagon end for loading and unloading of a vehicle. A beam assembly is configured to support the front portion while this is being turned. The beam assembly has a first end and a second end, and a top face extending therebetween. The front portion comprises a first connection mechanism and a second connection mechanism, and at least the first connection mechanism comprises a first rolling member and a first guiding member. The first rolling member is configured to roll on a rolling track arranged at the top face of the beam assembly. The first guiding member is configured to interact with a guiding means arranged along the rolling track so that, while the front portion is being moved between the closed position and the open position or vice versa, the first rolling member is in contact with the rolling track. Hereby is obtained that the rolling member is aligned with the rolling track during the movement along the beam assembly, since the guiding member interacts with the guiding means and thereby ensures that the rolling member is positioned as intended. A sliding arrangement is arranged at the second end of the beam assembly. Hereby the first rolling member may be displaced if a misalignment of the rolling member occurs when the beam assembly is being positioned in an operative position in relation to the carrying section. The sliding arrangement assists if a transverse displacement of the rolling member is necessary for obtaining the intended alignment with the rolling track.

The guiding means may extend upwards from the top face and substantially along an extension of the top face.

Also, the guiding means may comprise a first guide rail and a second guide rail, the first guide rail being arranged at a predetermined guide distance from the second guide rail.

Moreover, an indentation or recess may be arranged at the top face at the second end of the beam assembly.

The indentation may be arranged in a prolongation of the roller track at the second end and at the opposite side of a space, ensuring introduction of the first guiding member onto the beam assembly in a transverse direction.

In addition, the sliding arrangement may comprise a movable plate arranged within the indentation. The movable plate is configured to support the rolling member during a possible transverse displacement of the rolling member.

The movable plate may have a top plate face arranged at the same level as the rolling track, whereby no projections or edges are present between the movable plate and the adjacent rolling track thereby facilitating rolling of the rolling member.

Moreover, the movable plate may be configured to be movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to an extension of the beam assembly.

Additionally, one or more displacement member(s) may be arranged between the movable plate and the beam assembly. The displacement member(s) assist(s) in moving the movable plate.

Also, the displacement member(s) may comprise a coil spring, compression spring, elastic elements, pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder, or the like.

The displacement member(s) may be configured to be biased or compressed while the first rolling member is being displaced via the sliding arrangement, and to return to its relaxed state by moving the movable plate to its initial position.

In addition, a sliding member may be arranged between the movable plate and the beam assembly. Especially when high loads are exerted on the rolling member, the sliding member enables that the movable plate may be displaced in relation to the beam assembly.

Moreover, the sliding member may be made from low-friction material and/or coated with a low-friction material.

Additionally, the first rolling member and the first guiding member may be arranged at a mutual distance to ensure that the first rolling member is positioned in abutment with the roller track during the movement of the front portion along the beam assembly.

Furthermore, the first rolling member and the first guiding member may be arranged in substantially the same horizontal plane.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention and related embodiments will appear from the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will be described in the following, reference being had to the appended diagrammatic drawings which illustrate non-limiting examples of how the inventive concept can be reduced into practice, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a railway wagon according to an embodiment with a carrying section in open position,

FIGS. 2-3 show a front portion of the carrying section and a beam assembly in a perspective view and top view, respectively,

FIG. 4 is a top view of a part of the front portion arranged at the beam assembly,

FIGS. 5-6 show in top views a first rolling member and a first guiding member being misaligned or offset with a roller track and a guiding means, and show the first rolling member and the first guiding member being aligned on the roller track and the guiding means, respectively,

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a second end of the beam assembly provided with a sliding arrangement,

FIG. 8 corresponds to FIG. 7 and shows the sliding arrangement in a partially exploded view,

FIG. 9 shows the arrangement of FIG. 7 in a top view,

FIGS. 10-11 show in perspective views the beam assembly with the first rolling member and the first guiding member positioned on the roller track and the guiding means,

FIGS. 12a-12b show the arrangements of FIGS. 10-11 from another view, and

FIGS. 13a-13d show a sequence of ensuring the first rolling member and the first guiding member being aligned with the roller track and the guiding means.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

A railway wagon 1 for loading a semi-trailer thereon is shown in FIG. 1. The railway wagon 1 comprises a first wagon end 2 and a second wagon end 3. The wagon ends 2, 3 are often referred to as bogies or wheel sets. The first wagon end 2 and second wagon end 3 are configured to support a carrying section 4, often referred to as a pocket. The carrying section 4 has a front portion 5 releasably connected to the first wagon end 2, and it is movable between a closed position in which the front portion 5 is aligned with and connected to the first wagon end 2, and an open position in which the front portion 5 is turned out from the first wagon end 2 for loading/unloading of a semi-trailer or thee like (not shown). In FIG. 1, the carrying section 4 or pocket is in the open position.

The carrying section 4 and the first wagon end 2 are movable in relation to each other, but in the closed position they are connected with each other to form an entity (wagon to be run on a railway). In order to perform the swinging movement, the carrying section 4 is pivotally connected to the second wagon end 3 via a vertical pivot assembly (not shown).

An elongated beam or channel 40 extends between the two opposite wagon ends 2, 3. This channel 40—also referred to as a media channel—is arranged beneath the wagon 1 and it may accommodate electrical cables, hydraulic tubes, air conduits, etc (not shown) which are safely kept together in the channel 40. When the carrying section 4 is turned out from the wagon 1 and lowered to the loading or unloading position, the media channel 40 is automatically lowered in a mechanical manner so the movement of the carrying section 4 can be carried out in a safe and convenient way.

As mentioned above, the load-carrying section 4 or pocket is configured to accommodate and carry a semi-trailer or the like, and it is preferably through-shaped with an open end at the front portion 5 when pivoted out from the first wagon end 2, and with longitudinal sidewalls 7a and 7b.

The relative movability of the front portion 5 in relation to the first wagon end 2 has the purpose of enabling rolling loading of the semi-trailer (not shown) onto the load- or cargo-carrying section 4 in the open position in which the front portion 5 of the carrying section 4 is pivoted out from the first wagon end 2 as shown in FIG. 1.

For facilitating the movement of the front portion 5, a beam assembly 6 is provided; often referred to as a launch beam. The beam assembly 6 is configured to support the front portion 5 of the carrying section 4 while this is being turned, and it has a first end 8 and a second end 9. The first beam end 8 is connected with the railway wagon 1 in the open position, whereby the first beam end 8 is a connected end and the second beam end 9 is a free end. A top portion or top face 10 extends between the first beam end 8 and the second beam end 9 of the beam assembly 6.

In FIG. 1, the beam assembly 6 is shown in an operative position in which it extends outwards from the first wagon end 2. The beam assembly 6 also has an inoperative position in which it is moved away from the front portion 5 of the carrying section 4 so that the carrying section 4 may be loaded or unloaded. Alternatively, the inoperative position may be the position in which the beam assembly 6 is locked and ready to be transported with the railway wagon 1. The beam assembly may be moved from the inoperative position to the operative position and vice versa in a numerous ways. For instance, the beam assembly may be pivotally connected with the first wagon end, releasably connected with the first wagon end or slidably connected to the first wagon end or the like. In the below embodiments, the movement of the beam assembly is mainly described as being pivotally connected to the second wagon end.

Moreover, the front portion 5 of the carrying section 4 comprises a first connection mechanism 11 and a second connection mechanism 12. The first connection mechanism 11 comprises a first rolling member 13 and a first guiding member 14 as seen in FIG. 3. The first rolling member 13 is configured to roll on a rolling track 15 arranged at the top face 10, and the first guiding member 14 is configured to interact with a guiding means 16 arranged along the rolling track 15 so that, while the front portion 5 is being moved between the closed position and the open position or vice versa, the first rolling member 13 is in contact with the rolling track 15. Hereby is ensured that the front portion 5 may be moved along the beam assembly 6 in the intended manner even in circumstances where the carrying section 4 is heavy loaded with for instance a semi-trailer.

The beam assembly 6 is pivotally connected to the first wagon end 2. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2-3, the beam assembly 6 is moved from the inoperative position to the operative position or vice versa, by an actuator 17 arranged between the first wagon end 2 and the beam assembly 6. The actuator 17—preferably a hydraulic cylinder—pushes the beam assembly 6 from the inoperative position to the operative position. In the circumstance where the beam assembly 6 is being moved to the operative position when the carrying section 4 has been loaded with a semi-trailer or has been unloaded, the actuator 17 positions the free end of the beam assembly 6 in the intended position in relation to the first connection mechanism 11, so that the first rolling member 13 and the first guiding member 14 are aligned with the rolling track 15 and the guiding means 16, respectively.

Furthermore, the second connection mechanism may comprise a second rolling member and a second guiding member functioning in the same manner as described above. The carrying section 4 may also be turned out from the wagon 1 in a direction opposite to the situation shown in FIG. 1. During such movement, the second arrangement mentioned above is operative in a similar way as previously described and in co-operation with a beam assembly on the opposite side of the wagon (not shown).

In addition, the first connection mechanism 11 and the second connection mechanism 12 each comprises a lifting unit. These lifting units 18a, 18b are configured to lift and lower the front portion 5 of the carrying section 4 to the loading/unloading position, i.e. the lower position, and to lift to the elevated position in which the front portion 5 may be supported by the beam assembly 6. When the front portion 5 is supported by the beam assembly 6, the lifting units 18a, 18b may be retracted so that the front portion 5 may be moved freely along the beam assembly 6 and therefrom onto the first wagon end 2 to the closed position of the carrying section 4. Hereafter the carrying section 4 may be securely locked to the first wagon end 2.

As shown in FIGS. 7-8, the beam assembly 6 comprises a leg 19 which is arranged at the second beam end 9 of the beam assembly 6 and which is configured to support against the ground for providing proper support of the beam assembly 6 enabling it to carry the carrying section 4. The beam assembly 6 also comprises an actuation device 20 configured to lower and raise the leg 19. The actuation device 20 is arranged substantially in parallel to a main extension of the beam assembly 6. The supporting leg 19 has a foot 21 at its free end, which is configured to abut the ground. Preferably, the leg 19 comprises a sensor device (not shown) configured to provide safe abutment of the foot 21 on the ground.

The actuation device 20—preferably a hydraulic cylinder—is connected to the leg 19 at or adjacent a first pivot 22 at a first or upper end of the leg 19. The foot 21 is connected to the leg 19 at a second pivot 23 at a second or lower end of the leg 19.

The leg 19 is configured to support the second end 9 of the beam assembly 6 and to maintain it in position when the beam assembly 6 supports the front portion 5 of the carrying section 4 during movement of the front portion 5 along the beam assembly 6.

The guiding means 16 extends upwards from the top face 10 and substantially along an extension of the top face 10 as seen best in FIG. 7. Furthermore, the guiding means 16 comprises a first guide rail 24 and a second guide rail 25. The first guide rail 24 is arranged at a predetermined guide distance from the second guide rail 25. Preferably, the first guide rail 24 is arranged substantially parallel to the second guide rail 25. The first guiding member 14 is configured to be moved between the first guide rail 24 and the second guide rail 25, as will be described further below.

As shown in FIGS. 4-6, the guiding means 16—here in the form of the first guide rail 24 and the second guide rail 25—ends at a predetermined distance from the second beam end 9. Thereby a space 26 is defined, which ensures that the first guiding member 14 may be introduced onto the beam assembly 6 in a transverse direction, for instance when the beam assembly 6 is being moved from the inoperative position to the operative position.

In FIG. 4, a part of the carrying section 4 and the front portion 5 is shown from above. In the present embodiment, the first rolling member 13 and the first guiding member 14 are arranged at a mutual distance to ensure that the first rolling member 13 may be positioned in abutment with the roller track 15 during the movement of the front portion 5 along the beam assembly 6. The first rolling member 13 is configured to rotate around a first axis 27 having a first extension. The first guiding member 14 is configured to rotate around a second axis 28 having a second extension different from the first extension. In the present embodiment, the first extension is arranged perpendicular to the second extension. Also, the first rolling member 13 and the first guiding member 14 are arranged substantially in the same horizontal plane. This facilitates movement of the beam assembly 6 into the operative position.

As shown in FIG. 4, the front portion 5 is supported by the beam assembly 6. In rare circumstances, a slight misalignment between the first rolling member 13 and the rolling track 15 of the top face 10 may occur. In such situations, it may be cumbersome to align the first rolling member 13 on the rolling track 15, especially when the carrying section 4 is loaded with a semi-trailer. Oftentimes manual alignment operations have to be performed in working positions which are not ergonomic for the staff. In FIG. 4, such a slight misalignment is shown. A further disadvantage is that the first guiding member 14 may also be misaligned with the guiding means 16—here in the form of the first guide rail 24 and the second guide rail 25—which again makes it difficult to obtain adequate alignment between the first rolling member 13 and the rolling track 15 when the carrying section 4 is moved along the beam assembly 6.

In FIG. 5, misalignment of the first rolling member 13 and the first guiding member 14 in relation to the rolling track 15 is shown. Compared to this misalignment, a proper alignment of the first rolling member 13 and the first guiding member 14 is shown in FIG. 6.

The beam assembly 6 comprises a sliding arrangement 30 arranged at the second end 9 of the beam assembly 6 as shown in FIG. 7. The sliding arrangement 30 is configured to displace the first rolling member 13 in the rare circumstances where a misalignment of the rolling member 13 occurs as the beam assembly 6 is positioned in the operative position in relation to the carrying section 4.

The sliding arrangement 30 will be further described in relation to FIGS. 7 and 8, the latter figure being a partially exploded view. An indentation 31 or recess is in the present embodiment arranged at the top face 10 at the second end 9 of the beam assembly 6. The indentation 31 is arranged in a prolongation of the roller track 15 at the second beam end 9 and at the opposite side of the space 26. The sliding arrangement 30 comprises a movable plate 32 having a top plate face 33.

In the present embodiment, the sliding arrangement 30 is arranged in the indentation 31, wherein the top plate face 33 is arranged at the same level as the rolling track 15 as best seen in FIG. 7, so that the first rolling member 13 is able to roll freely in a longitudinal direction the rolling track 15 of the top face 10.

The indentation 31 has a first area and the movable plate 32 has a second area which is smaller than the first area, whereby the movable plate 32 can move within the indentation 31. The movable plate 32 is configured to be movable in a substantially perpendicular direction compared to the extension of the beam assembly 6. Hereby is obtained that during the possible misalignment or any offsetting between the first rolling member 13 and the rolling track 15, the movable plate 32 assists in displacing the first rolling member 13 as the first guiding member 14 is being guided into contact with the guide means 16 for ensuring that the first rolling member 13 is aligned with the roller track 15. In addition, the movable plate 32 ensures that the transverse displacement may be performed even in circumstances where high loads are exerted on the first rolling member 13, for instance when a semi-trailer is present on the carrying section 4.

One or more displacement member(s) 34a, 34b may be arranged between the movable plate 32 and the beam assembly 6. The displacement members 34a, 34b may comprise a coil spring, compression spring, elastic elements, pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder, or the like. In the present embodiment, two springs are arranged as displacement members.

The displacement members 34a, 34b are configured to be biased or compressed while the first rolling member 13 is being displaced via the sliding arrangement 30, and to return to its relaxed state by moving the movable plate 32 to its initial position when the rolling member 13 is moved further along the rolling track 15 and there is no load on the movable plate 32. The initial position is the position most far away from the guiding means 16 in the transverse direction of the beam assembly 6.

Furthermore, a sliding member 35 may be arranged between the movable plate 32 and the beam assembly 6. The sliding member 35 facilitates movement of the moveable plate 32 especially when high loads are exerted on the first rolling member 13, i.e. when a semi-trailer or the like is loaded onto the carrying section 4. In the present embodiment, the sliding member 35 is arranged within the indentation 31.

The sliding member 35 may be made from low-friction material and/or coated with a low-friction material. In addition, a lubricant may be applied between the movable plate 32 and the sliding member 35 for reducing a friction between them.

In FIG. 9, the beam assembly 6 with the sliding arrangement 30 is shown from above. The movable plate 32 is positioned in its initial position in which the displacement members 34a, 34b have moved the moveable plate 32 in a direction transverse away from the guiding means 16 and the space 26.

FIGS. 10-11 show—in perspective views—the first rolling member 13 and the first guiding member 14, respectively, positioned on the roller track 15 and the guiding means 16, respectively, by means of the sliding arrangement 30 as described above.

Furthermore, FIGS. 12a-12b show the arrangement of FIGS. 10 and 11 in different views. In FIG. 12a, the guiding member 14 and the rolling member 13 have been introduced onto the beam assembly 6. The guiding member 14 is positioned in the space 26 and the first rolling member 13 on the movable plate 32.

As mentioned above, the movable plate 32 may assist in displacing the rolling member 13 in a transverse direction with respect to the rolling track 15 if the first rolling member 13 is misaligned on the rolling track 15 of the beam assembly 6. This may for instance be performed by movement of the guiding member 14 into contact with the guiding means 16 as shown in FIG. 12b, which will force the rolling member 13 by means of the movable plate 32 in the transverse direction, so that the rolling member 13 will be aligned with the rolling track 15.

FIGS. 13a-13d show a sequence of steps ensuring that the first rolling member 13 and the first guiding member 14 are aligned with the roller track 15 and the guiding means 16 while the front portion 5 of the carrying section 4 is being moved along the beam assembly 6. The movable plate 32 of the sliding arrangement 35 is assisting in the alignment of the rolling member 13 even in the circumstance where the carrying section 4 is loaded with a semi-trailer.

Furthermore, as mentioned above, the movement of the beam assembly out from the first wagon end (its inoperative position) to its operative position can be performed in different ways. Herein, it is mainly described that the beam assembly is mounted turnable or pivotable about one or more vertical pivot(s) provided on the first wagon end.

Another option (not shown) is to arrange the beam assembly slideable in a direction substantially transverse the longitudinal axis of the first wagon end (the beam is slided out to its operative position).

In an embodiment (not shown), the rolling member is provided with a peripheral flange which is in rolling engagement with an upright, elongated part of the guiding means.

Also, it should be noted that the actuator of the beam assembly can be of different design. As an alternative to the hydraulic cylinder described above, the actuator can also be pneumatically and/or electro-mechanically operated.

Certain aspects and variants of the present disclosure are set forth in the following items numbered P1-P37.

P1. A railway wagon for transportation of semi-trailers or the like, the railway wagon comprising: a first wagon end, a second wagon end and a carrying section, the carrying section has a front portion being releasably connected with the first wagon end, the carrying section is movable between a closed position in which the front portion is connected with the first wagon end, and an open position in which the front portion is turned out from the first wagon end for loading/unloading of a semi-trailer, and a beam assembly being configured to support the front portion while the front portion is being turned, the beam assembly having a first end and a second end, the first beam end being connected with the first wagon end in the open position, and a top face extending between said first beam end and said second beam end, wherein the front portion comprises a first connection mechanism and a second connection mechanism, at least the first connection mechanism comprises a first rolling member and a first guiding member, the first rolling member being configured to roll on a rolling track arranged at the top face, and the first guiding member being configured to interact with a guiding means arranged along the rolling track so that, while the front portion is being moved between the closed position and the open position or vice versa, the first rolling member is in contact with the rolling track.

P2. A railway wagon according to item P1, wherein the guiding means is extending upwards from the top face and is extending substantially along an extension of the top face.

P3. A railway wagon according to items P1 and/or P2, wherein the guiding means comprises a first guide rail and a second guide rail, the first guide rail is arranged a predetermined guide distance from the second guide rail.

P4. A railway wagon according to item P3, wherein the first guide rail is arranged substantially parallel with the second guide rail.

P5. A railway wagon according to item P3 and/or P4, wherein the guiding member is configured to be moved along the beam assembly between the first guide rail and the second guide rail.

P6. A railway wagon according to any of items P1-P5, wherein the guiding means ends at a predetermined distance from the second end thereby defining a space at the second end.

P7. A railway wagon according to any of items P1-P6, wherein a sliding arrangement is arranged at the second end of the beam assembly.

P8. A railway wagon according to any of items P1-P7, wherein an indentation or recess is arranged in the top face at the second end of the beam assembly.

P9. A railway wagon according to item P8, wherein the indentation is arranged in a prolongation of the roller track at the second end and at the opposite side of the space.

P10. A railway wagon according to any of items P7-P9, wherein the sliding arrangement comprises a movable plate having a top plate face.

P11. A railway wagon according to item P10, wherein the movable plate is arranged within the indentation, the top plate face of the movable plate is arranged in the same level as the rolling track.

P12. A railway wagon according to any of items P8-P11, wherein the indentation has a first area and the movable plate has a second area, the second area is smaller than the first area whereby the movable plate can move within the indentation.

P13. A railway wagon according to any of items P7-P12, wherein the movable plate is configured to be movable in a substantially perpendicular direction compared to an extension of the beam assembly.

P14. A railway wagon according to any of items P7-P13, wherein one or more displacement member(s) is/are arranged between the movable plate and the beam assembly.

P15. A railway wagon according to item P14, wherein the displacement member comprises a coil spring, compression spring, elastic elements, pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder, or the like.

P16. A railway wagon according to items P14 or P15, wherein the displacement member is configured to be biased or compressed while the first rolling member is being displaced via the sliding arrangement and to return to its relaxed state by moving the movable plate to its initial position.

P17. A railway wagon according to any of items P7-P16, wherein a sliding member is arranged between the movable plate and the beam assembly.

P18. A railway wagon according to item P17, wherein the sliding member is arranged within the indentation.

P19. A railway wagon according to items P17 or P18, wherein the sliding member is made of low-friction material and/or being coated with a low-friction material.

P20. A railway wagon according to any of items P17-P19, wherein a lubricant is applied between the movable plate and the sliding member for reducing a friction between them.

P21. A railway wagon according to any of items P1-P20, wherein the second connection mechanism comprises a second rolling member and a second guiding member.

P22. A railway wagon according to any of items P1-P21, wherein the first and second connection mechanism each comprises a lifting unit.

P23. A railway wagon according to item P22, wherein the lifting unit is configured to lift and lower the front portion of the carrying section.

P24. A railway wagon according to any of items P1-P23, wherein the first rolling member and the first guiding member are arranged at a mutual distance to ensure that the first rolling member is positioned in abutment with the roller track during the movement of the front portion along the beam assembly.

P25. A railway wagon according to any of items P1-P24, wherein the first rolling member is configured to roll around a first axis having a first extension.

P26. A railway wagon according to any of items P1-P25, wherein the first guiding member is configured to roll around a second axis having a second extension.

P27. A railway wagon according to items P25 and P26, wherein the first extension is different from the second extension.

P28. A railway wagon according to item P27, wherein the first extension is arranged perpendicular to the second extension.

P29. A railway wagon according to any of items P1-P28, wherein the first rolling member and the first guiding member are arranged in substantially the same horizontal plane.

P30. A railway wagon according to any of items P1-P29, wherein the top face of the beam assembly is arc-shaped in the transverse direction.

P31. A railway wagon according to any of items P1-P30, wherein the beam assembly comprises a leg which is arranged at the second end of the beam assembly and which is configured to support against the ground.

P32. A railway wagon according to item P31, wherein the beam assembly comprises an actuation device configured to lower and raise the leg.

P33. A railway wagon according to item P32, wherein the actuation device is arranged substantially in parallel with the extension of the beam assembly.

P34. A railway wagon according to any of items P31-P33, wherein the leg has a foot at its free end, the foot being configured to abut the ground, and wherein the leg preferably comprises a sensor device configured to provide safe abutment of the foot on the ground.

P35. A railway wagon according to any of items P32-P34, wherein the actuation device is connected to the leg at a first pivot at a first leg end of the leg.

P36. A railway wagon according to item P34, wherein the foot is connected to the leg at a second pivot at a second leg end of the leg.

P37. A railway wagon according to item P35, wherein the first leg end of the leg is placed at a sliding portion which is movable along a rail mounted substantially in parallel with the beam assembly.

Finally, it should be mentioned that the inventive concept is by no means limited to the embodiments described herein, and modifications are feasible within the scope defined by the appended claims. The improved railway wagon may be used for transportation not only of road-vehicles like semi-trailers, but any kinds of vehicles such as tractors, bulldozers, haulers, and the like.

Claims

1. A railway wagon for transportation of at least one vehicle, comprising: a first wagon end, a second wagon end, and a carrying section therebetween, the carrying section having a front portion releasably connected to the first wagon end, the carrying section being movable between a closed position in which the front portion is connected to the first wagon end, and an open position in which the front portion is turned out from the first wagon end for loading and unloading of said at least one vehicle; and a beam assembly configured to support the front portion while the front portion is being turned, the beam assembly having a first end and a second end, and a top face extending between the first beam end and the second beam end; wherein the front portion comprises a first connection mechanism and a second connection mechanism, at least the first connection mechanism comprising a first rolling member and a first guiding member, the first rolling member being configured to roll on a rolling track arranged at the top face, and the first guiding member being configured to interact with a guiding means arranged along the rolling track so that, while the front portion is being moved between the closed position and the open position or vice versa, the first rolling member is in contact with the rolling track; and wherein a sliding arrangement is arranged at said second end of the beam assembly.

2. The railway wagon according to claim 1, wherein the guiding means extends upwards from the top face and substantially along an extension of the top face.

3. The railway wagon according to claim 1, wherein the guiding means comprises a first guide rail and a second guide rail, the first guide rail being arranged at a predetermined guide distance from the second guide rail.

4. The railway wagon according to claim 1, wherein an indentation or recess is arranged in the top face at said second end of the beam assembly.

5. The railway wagon according to claim 4, wherein the indentation is arranged in a prolongation of the roller track at said second end of the beam assembly and at the opposite side of a space, ensuring introduction of the first guiding member onto the beam assembly in a transverse direction.

6. The railway wagon according to claim 4, wherein the sliding arrangement comprises a movable plate arranged within the indentation.

7. The railway wagon according to claim 6, wherein the movable plate has a top plate face arranged at the same level as the rolling track.

8. The railway wagon according to claim 7, wherein the movable plate is configured to be movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to an extension of the beam assembly.

9. The railway wagon according to claim 6, wherein one or more displacement member(s) is/are arranged between the movable plate and the beam assembly.

10. The railway wagon according to claim 9, wherein the displacement members comprise(s) a coil spring, compression spring, elastic elements, pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder, or the like.

11. The railway wagon according to claim 9, wherein the displacement member(s) is/are configured to be biased or compressed while the first rolling member is being displaced via the sliding arrangement, and to return to its relaxed state by moving the movable plate to its initial position.

12. The railway wagon according to claim 6, wherein a sliding member is arranged between the movable plate and the beam assembly.

13. The railway wagon according to claim 12, wherein the sliding member is made from low-friction material and/or coated with a low-friction material.

14. The railway wagon according to claim 1, wherein the first rolling member and the first guiding member are arranged at a mutual distance to ensure that the first rolling member is positioned in abutment with the rolling track during the movement of the front portion along the beam assembly.

15. The railway wagon according to claim 1, wherein the first rolling member and the first guiding member are arranged in substantially the same horizontal plane.