Abstract: A gap blocking system includes a loading platform having a gap separating a first portion of the loading platform from a second portion of the loading platform. A ride vehicle is coupled to a transport extending through the gap. A guardrail assembly having a plurality of guardrail units is coupled to the first portion, where the guardrail units are configured to transition between a first position and a second position. The guardrail units are configured to block access to the gap when in the first position. The ride vehicle includes an engagement feature configured to interface with an individual guardrail unit of the guardrail units to selectively transition the individual guardrail unit from the first position to the second position. The individual guardrail unit is configured to permit the ride vehicle to occupy a guest-accessible position adjacent to or on the loading platform in the second position.

Abstract: A modular platform system includes a setback platform system for a shared track rail system on a ground level. The shared track rail system is usable by a commuter, regional and intercity rail vehicle and a freight vehicle. The setback platform includes a first path at a first height with respect to the ground level. The setback platform also includes a shuttle platform. The shuttle platform is at a second height in a first position different from the first height. The shuttle platform is configured to be moved from the first position to a second position different from the first position. A front edge of the shuttle platform is farther away from a centerline of the shared track rail system if the shuttle platform is in the first portion than if the shuttle platform is in the second position.

Abstract: A method operates a rail vehicle along a railway line. Accordingly, a trip of the rail vehicle has a travel section along the railway line, which travel section ends before or at a hazard point of the railway line. The rail vehicle, in a protection mode, is braked starting from a first speed during a braking phase at the start of the travel section. During the braking phase, a kinetic quantity of the kinetic energy amount of the rail vehicle is absorbed by an energy absorption unit. The braking phase is followed by an energy dissipation phase, in which part of the absorbed energy is discharged. The travel section is defined such that an energy state parameter representative of a vehicle energy amount, which energy state parameter takes into account the energy amount present in the energy absorption unit, satisfies a condition at the hazard point.

Abstract: A modular platform system includes a setback platform system for a shared track rail system on a ground level. The shared track rail system is usable by a commuter, regional and intercity rail vehicle and a freight vehicle. The setback platform includes a first path at a first height with respect to the ground level. The setback platform also includes a shuttle platform. The shuttle platform is at a second height in a first position different from the first height. The shuttle platform is configured to be moved from the first position to a second position different from the first position. A front edge of the shuttle platform is farther away from a centerline of the shared track rail system if the shuttle platform is in the first portion than if the shuttle platform is in the second position.

Abstract: A protection device for the protection of people against moving rail vehicle in a railway station area comprises an inner and an outer protective wall (11, 12, 76, 77, 88, 89). The station area contains a platform (4) whereby the platform (4) contains a platform edge (2, 22). A first side of the platform edge (2, 22) has tracks and a second side of the platform edge (2, 22) has a platform plateau (23). The platform plateau (23) is designed as a waiting area for people. The protective wall (11, 12, 76, 77, 88, 89) is directly adjacent or near to the platform edge (2, 22) and between a retracted state and an extended state adjustable in such a way that in the extended state (11, 12, 76, 77, 88, 89) access to the tracks is obstructed, in the retracted state access to the tracks is free.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a shuttle platform that is configured to allow a path for one or more passengers to load or unload from a light rail transit vehicle that runs on a shared track. The shuttle platform can move in a linear plane and may be operationally engaged with a drive system comprising, a drive component and a combination position lock and drive mechanism disconnect. The drive component may comprise a transfer component. The combination position lock and drive mechanism disconnect may comprise: a drive disengage latch; a secondary lock latch selectably alternatively engagable between strikers; a manual drive receiver simultaneously operationally engagable with both the drive disengage latch and the secondary lock latch, and comprising a manual drive work output operationally engagable with the manual drive work input; and an automatic release.

Abstract: The invention relates to a platform door system comprising cover elements and sliding doors arranged along a platform for opening and closing passages between the cover elements, wherein the sliding doors when in a closed state are displaceable into different door positions along the platform, and wherein a given sliding door can then be opened and closed starting from a given door position into which the given sliding door has been displaced.

Abstract: A train assistance method includes obtaining images captured by at least one time-of-flight camera, each of the captured images includes a distance information indicating a distance between each point of a station platform corresponding to each pixel of the captured image and the corresponding camera . The method then controls one driving device to drive a movable bridge corresponding to one camera towards a station platform to effectively cover a gap.

Abstract: A system for transporting cargo includes a cargo terminal having a pair of longitudinal sides, at least one of the pair of longitudinal sides disposed adjacent to and spaced a predetermined distance from a railway track and at least one railcar positioned at a predetermined acute angle relative to the at least one of the pair of longitudinal sides of the cargo terminal and having one end thereof disposed in close proximity thereto so as to enable loading or unloading such cargo through such one end of such at least one railcar. A network of at least two cargo terminals and a method of intermodal cargo transporting are also provided.

Abstract: As embodied and broadly described herein the invention includes a system for computing a preferred sequence in which cars in a switching queue of a railway switchyard are to be sequentially switched to classification tracks. The system has a processing entity for determining within a given set of cars at least two possible sequences in which the cars in the set can be switched and applying logic rules for identifying among the sequences a preferred sequence. The system also has an output for releasing data describing the preferred sequence.

Abstract: A device (1) for preventing and detecting the falling of an object or of a person on a line (2) of a railway station having a platform (3). The device (1) includes at least one detection device (7) having at least one emitter (8) of a beam (10) and a sensor (9) able to detect this beam (10), and a detection calculator (13) for processing the signals obtained from the sensors (9) and able to communicate safely with at least one signaling system (16a, 16b, 16c) of the station, barriers (4) able to be arranged on the platform (3) to prevent falls, the barriers (4) delimiting between them door opening areas (5), a detection device (7) being arranged in each of them to detect a fall on the line (2).

Abstract: A railway vehicle including an access platform which extends between two lateral faces, at least one of the faces having a lateral access door. The access platform is adjacent a passenger area and includes a plate which is movable vertically so as to allow passengers with reduced mobility to access/leave the access platform from/to a railway platform of a given height when the movable plate is placed in a given embarkation/disembarkation position. Also included is a moving floor allowing persons with reduced mobility to move between said passenger area and said movable plate whatever the embarkation/disembarkation position thereof. The moving floor is located and always remains in an interior of the vehicle along with the passenger area and the movable plate between which the moving floor is located.

Abstract: An improved gap filler in the form of a single plate or a plurality of plates attached to the train car exterior or emanating from below train car vestibule floor which permits transit line system operator to utilize one device to obtain any desired gap minimization at every train car door in a trainset relative to its corresponding platform edge at all stations on its transit line regardless of platform and/or track configuration while simultaneously adhering to its gap clearance standards pertaining to safe passage of any train within its fleet through any station.

Abstract: An assembly for transferring passenger-carrying vehicles to and from an amusement park ride conveying a train of vehicles without stopping for passenger loading. The assembly includes a transfer vehicle and a vehicle receiver positioned in the vehicle train. The vehicle receiver includes a connection mechanism, such as an electromagnet selectively operable to capture and release the transfer vehicle. A turntable is positioned adjacent to the track and selectively rotates at a rotation rate. The turntable includes an engagement mechanism, such as an electromagnet, on its periphery operable to capture and release the transfer vehicle (e.g., to capture when the vehicle receiver releases and vice versa). The rotation rate and the ride speed synchronize turntable rotation with travel of the train to mesh placement of the turntable engagement mechanism proximate to the connection mechanism of the vehicle receiver to facilitate hand off of the transfer vehicle without stopping the vehicle train.

Abstract: A device includes a fixed portion permanently integrated in a platform, a mobile portion connected to the fixed portion so as to be capable of displacement between stowed and expanded configurations, and elements for driving the mobile portion. In order to improve the device safety, including in particularly dangerous cases such as the drift of the railway vehicle along the platform, the mobile portion is provided with telemeters for constant time measuring of the horizontal distance between them and the vehicle, while control members connected to the telemeters process the measurements from the telemeters in order to provide real-time driving-elements actuation signals according to the measurements so that, in the expanded configuration, the horizontal distance between the free end of the mobile part and the access threshold (8A) of the parked vehicle is lower than a predetermined value independently from the relative position of the platform and the parked vehicle.

Abstract: A device for the essentially complete bridging of the gap between the car floor of a rail vehicle in the door area and the platform with a gap bridging plate for bridging the gap. The gap bridging plate is mounted to be movable in a linear, horizontal direction at least between a retracted position in which the gap is not bridged and the gap bridging plate essentially does not or only barely projects beyond the front edge of the platform or of the rail vehicle, and an extended position in which the gap is essentially completely bridged. The device is characterized in that the gap bridging plate is mounted movably on two guide rails, and the guide rails are designed as ball bearing linear guides or as roller linear guides.

Abstract: Railway vehicle (1) comprising an access platform (4) which extends between two lateral faces (3), at least one of the faces comprising a lateral access door (2), the access platform (4) being adjacent to at least one passenger area (6, 6?) and comprising a plate (5) which is movable vertically so as to allow passengers with reduced mobility to access/leave the access platform (4) from/to a railway platform (27) of height Qi (i=0, 1, 2, . . . , n) when said movable plate (5) is placed in an embarkation/disembarkation position Ei (i=0, 1, 2, . . . , n), characterized in that said vehicle (1) comprises at least one means of passage (11, 11?) allowing persons with reduced mobility to move between said passenger area (6, 6?) and said movable plate (5) whatever the embarkation/disembarkation position Ei (i=0, 1, 2, . . . , n) thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a safety device for train platforms, which is installed on a safety line of a platform of a subway station or a railway station so as to be raised and lowered. When a train has reached to boarding position of the platform, wire ropes (200) of the device are raised to allow passengers to board. When the train departs from the platform after the passengers have finished boarding, the wire ropes (200) are lowered to ensure the safety of passengers remaining on the platform. The safety device includes a wire rope raising/lowering means (100), two or more wire ropes (200), a wire rope holding means (300), and a wire rope control means (400). The wire rope raising/lowering means (100) has frames (110) secured upright at predetermined positions between a train entrance and a train exit of a platform which a train approaches, with a movable assembly (130) provided in each of the frames (110) so as to be moved upwards and downwards along the frame by a drive means (120).

Abstract: The installation for amusement park, referred to as roller coaster, comprises a circuit made up of rails (6), mounted on supports (10), themselves fixed on a carrier beam (11), on which one or more vehicles run, designed to run on the rails, as opposed to a suspended roller coaster, and at least one station for the embarkation and disembarkation of passengers. Each vehicle comprises a main beam (1), at least one transverse chassis element (2) on which are mounted, on the one hand, wheels (3, 4, 5) interacting with the rails (6), and, on the other hand, seats (7) provided with retention means (8). The station, which comprises at least one platform (12) likewise comprises a fold-away floor (14), which replaces the floor, absent of the vehicle, when the vehicle is stopped in a predetermined position for embarkation and disembarkation. Due to this, the vehicle may be designed without any floor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for joining a first structure to a second structure. In one embodiment, a bridge 100 is provided for joining a movable structure 105 to a fixed structure 110. The bridge 100 includes a number of spaced apart extensible beams 115, each beam having a first end 125 pivotably and rotatably attached to the movable structure 105 and a second end 130 pivotably and rotatably attached to the fixed structure 110. Deck members 135 are supported by the extensible beams 115 in a substantially horizontal attitude, each of the deck members pivotably and rotatably attached to one of the beams whereby access is provided between the movable structure 105 and the fixed structure 110. In one version, the movable structure 105 includes a vehicle, such as a train, an automobile, a watercraft, an aircraft or a spacecraft. In another version, the movable structure 105 is a motion-base 230 of a simulator, amusement ride or a theater 235.

Abstract: An improved intermodal transport system combining trucking and railway technology for the transport of passengers and freight. The present system includes a so-called Super Rail Train which incorporates an automotive truck drive system and components in a fuel efficient power vehicle which replaces the conventional locomotive. The present system also includes a plurality of secondary power units having an automotive truck drive system which are operated only during peak load conditions. The present system features a self-powered tandem device which replaces the conventional railroad dolly or bogie used in the transport of highway semi-trailer containers by rail and permits movement of a partially assembled train without a switching engine. A further feature of the present invention provides a switching ramp which is installed at truck/train terminals to facilitate the efficient assembly and breakdown of the train upon arrival at a destination for rerouting semi-trailer containers to highway use.

Abstract: A railway waggon comprises on one hand a load carrier (2) composed of two carrying beams (12, 12') and an intermediate, load-receiving platform part (13), and on the other hand bogies (3) with wheels (4) for railway tracks (5). The platform part (13) is located on level with or below the carrying beams (12, 12'), which at their ends change into jibs (15, 15') located above the beams so that these may be applied on top of the bogies (3), without the platform (13) being markedly distanced vertically from the wheel base of the bogies. The load carrier (2) is on one hand coupled to the bogie via a joint (25, 26) in order to allow for relative turning motions between the bogie and the load carrier, and on the other hand detachably connected with each one of the bogies, in order to, in an inactive state in connection with loading and unloading, be able to be displaced with each end laterally.

Abstract: An apparatus for dynamically filling a gap between a side of a railway train car and an adjacent edge of a station or loading platform for preventing accident or injury to passengers while boarding or alighting from the train. A plurality of flexible, flat planar sheet-like members project outwardly from a vertical platform edge surface that is confrontingly opposed to the side of a railway train car located adjacent to the platform. The extension of the projecting members from the platform is such that as an approaching train traveling along a track moves into proximity with the platform, the train contacts at least the free ends of the projecting members whereby the members are thereby resiliently deflected to assume a generally bent contour in the direction of train movement and thereby substantially fill the gap between the platform edge and the side of the train.

Abstract: Thresholds for bridging the gap between a platform and doorways of vehicles stopped at the platform. The thresholds are adapted to move from a retracted position to an extended position in response to the opening of barrier doors mounted alongside the platform.

Abstract: A system is provided that uses small carrier vehicles that operate along electrified guideways and use standardized connections to automatically carry passenger cabins, freight loads and automobile platforms to desired destinations. The connections may include electrical connections for power and communication and they are made to upper ends of posts that extend from front and rear portions of each carrier vehicle and up through a narrow centrally located slot in the guideway. Transfer vehicles operate to transfer loads between the carrier vehicles and storage positions and may be controlled to move in either of two transverse directions or to rotate in a turntable operation. Control circuitry is provided to obtain highly reliable control of vehicle speed and of starting, stopping and merge operations.

Abstract: A system is provided that uses small carrier vehicles that operate along electrified guideways and use standardized connections to automatically carry passenger cabins, freight loads and automobile platforms to desired destinations. The connections are made to upper ends of posts that extend from front and rear portions of each carrier vehicle and up through a narrow centrally located slot in the guideway. The guideway provides a protected environment for error-free data transmissions made through closely spaced inductive couplings between monitoring and control circuits along the guideway and control circuits of the carrier vehicles. Control circuitry is provided to obtain highly reliable control of vehicle speed and of starting, stopping and merge operations.

Abstract: A system is provided that uses small carrier vehicles that operate along electrified guideways and use standardized connections to automatically carry passenger cabins, freight loads and automobile platforms to desired destinations. Front and rear bogies of the vehicles pivot about front and rear vertical turn axes and carry direction control wheels that cooperate with guide ribs along tracks for selective control of movement to either of two exits from a Y junction. The guideway provides a protected environment for error-free data transmissions made through closely spaced inductive couplings between monitoring and control circuits along the guideway and control circuits of the carrier vehicles. Control circuitry is provided to obtain highly reliable control of vehicle speed and of starting, stopping and merge operations.

Abstract: A pivoting, retractable platform edge extension for temporarily extending the upper surface of a fixed platform closer to train tracks, comprising a platform extension portion having an upper surface, the platform extension portion pivotably attached to the fixed platform such that the upper surface of the platform extension portion very closely meets and extends the support surface of the fixed platform when the extension portion is in a first, down position; at least one pivoting member fixed to the extension portion and extending underneath the fixed platform when the extension portion is in the first portion; and a pivot pin interconnecting the pivoting member and the fixed platform, the pivot pin adapted to rotate in at least one of the pivoting member and the fixed platform, to allow the extension portion to pivot about the pivot pin so that the extension portion can be moved to a second, retracted portion relative to the fixed platform; wherein the at least one pivoting member includes a cutout portion

Abstract: A diverse variety of high speed gravity cableway rides in which a rider on a pulley block car descends a mountainside and generally stops by frictional forces, due to the design of the cable arc, before hitting the lower cable support point. In some forms, the rider may control his speed with a braking device and use a ski-lift to return to the top of the hill. In all form suitably safe embarking and disembarking platforms or procedures are employed.

Abstract: A bridging mechanism, the bridge plate of which can be pivoted from a vertical rest position behind the tracks into a horizontal operating position in which the free end of the bridge plate rests upon a dock or platform. The pivot connection of the bridge plate is mounted on a vertical support structure of a travel mechanism that is disposed behind the tracks. To achieve a large span length of the bridging mechanism where low ceilings are present, the pivot connection of the bridge plate is mounted such that it can be raised and lowered on the support structure. When the bridge plate is swung up out of the working position and into the approximately vertical rest position, the pivot connection is lowered, and when the bridge plate is swung down from the approximately vertical rest position into the operating position, the pivot connection is lowered.

Abstract: The overhead cable transport installation possesses at each of the stations a transfer section between a disembarking section and an embarking section. At a still linear starting section of each transfer section there are provided driven wheels and at the linear end or terminal section of each transfer section there are likewise provided driven wheels. The driven wheels at the starting section are driven at a stepped greater rotational speed in relation to wheels located at the disembarking section, so that vehicles of the overhead cable transport installation arriving in the transfer section can be accelerated by the driven wheels engaging at friction shoes of the vehicle. A chain conveyor extends between the driven wheels of the starting section of the transfer section along the latter and transports the vehicles at an increased velocity and with a correspondingly greater mutual spacing from one another through curved portions of the transfer section.

Abstract: A loading system for loading vehicles onto a railroad car allows passengers to load their own vehicles. Cylindrical rollers are mounted on a loading dock adjacent to the railroad car. The vehicle is driven onto a pallet that is moved laterally toward the railroad car by the rollers. The railroad car has a frame with two levels that can be raised to position each level with the loading dock. A hydraulic ram pushes the pallet with the vehicle onto the frame for loading and pulls them from the frame for unloading.

Abstract: This loader has two rotary arms which turn a load spreader fork frame off-parallel so that only one fork is extended to couple. The fork frame has a fork at each end with a cam track diagonal across the bottom engaged on the extended fork by a coupling roller extended from a vehicle to pull the fork frame to the vehicle until the roller leaves the track when the frame has engaged between pedestals on the vehicle. The frame is engaged and rotated through many more degrees and the most effective degrees of a circle for a transfer run (now over 180.degree.

Abstract: This rotary loader has two vertical posts each with a rotary arm radiating therefrom with a load platform centered an equal distance out on each arm. The arms are coordinated to revolve parallel and move under and lift or lower together to transfer a load such as a cargo container or railway car body separable from its chassis. Each arm supports the end of a load on a pivot or turntable central of the width of the load. The turntables can be connected to form one platform and the pivots be above or below the load. Preferably the turntables are round and on a lobe of equal diameter on the end of each arm with a rubber rimmed disc wheel of slightly larger diameter of the pivot's axis below the arm to guide the arms of the loader to roll between pedestals or rabbets across the car's platform to couple and align the loader and car for transfer. The loader is vehicle mounted to engage stationary cars or load berths.

Abstract: A floor plate assembly, particularly suitable for use in and around rolling mills, comprises a closure floor plate which is arranged to close an opening adjacent another floor plate. The closure floor plate can move as required between a first position closing the opening and a second position under the other floor plate. The other floor plate is movable during the opening and closing operation to avoid obstruction of the closure floor plate.

Abstract: A loading dock for loading and unloading objects from a vehicle, comprising a stationary floor section and a movable floor section disposed at one edge of the dock. The movable section is semi-circular in shape, meets the stationary section along the arc of a circle, and is mounted to rotate about the center of that circle. A truck approaches the loading dock in a parallel fashion and stops at a predetermined point thereby. The movable section is then rotated outwardly until said section is aligned with the loading opening in the body of the truck so as to form a dock extension for the moving of material thereon to and from the stationary floor section and truck.