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 rail transport unit for carrying a load consisting of a road vehicle includes a support structure having two longitudinal ends. Each end is connected to an axle block or bogie by a composite interface, and at least one of the ends is free and defines an access opening for the load.

Abstract: An improved intermodal vehicle (10) for forming a train of highway trailers. The intermodal vehicle has an upper frame (42) to which highway trailers (12, 14) may be connected, each of the highway trailers having leading a trailing coupler socket assemblies (22, 24). In the improved design a continuous drawbar (150, 176) is provided. In addition, the upper frame (42) is mounted on a pair of steerable lower frames (30, 32) by springs (52, 54), preferably air springs, their being a pair of springs for each rail wheel (26, 28) of the intermodal vehicle, one spring being positioned before each wheel and one being positioned after each wheel.

Abstract: A two-axle undercarriage for track-bound transport systems carrying freight and passenger traffic, especially for inseparable train units, is divided into two parts, each part housing a wheel set. The two undercarriage frame halves are connected to each other in an adjustably articulated fashion on the plane of travel and are axially movable relative to each other to a limited extent in the direction of travel. To provide a tensilely-strong connection of two adjacent car bodies of the track-bound transport system, a connecting rod is used that permits adjustment of the undercarriage frame halves. The connecting rod is arranged between the adjacent car bodies so that cardanic movement is permitted between each of the two adjacent car bodies so that cardanic movement is permitted between each of the two adjacent car bodies and the connecting rod.

Abstract: A retractable intermodal vehicle (10) for supporting and connecting modified semitrailers (11) end-to-end to form a train of trailers capable of being operated on a railroad track (172); the semitrailers also able to be operated on a highway as regular semitrailers. In the preferred embodiment, the intermodal vehicle (10) is comprised of two lower frames (12), with a wheel/axle assembly (18) mounted to each, and each pivoted from and supporting a single upper frame assembly (14), the pivoting of these lower frames providing a limited steering of the rail axles relative to the upper frame. Inflatable air springs (22) are mounted between the lower frames (12) and upper frames (14) to allow each upper frame to be raised and lowered.

Abstract: A railroad bogie is disclosed. Such railroad bogie has a bogie body with a horizonal frame with front and rear ends and elongated sides therebetween. The bogie body also has an upstanding front plate and rear plate and side plates therebetween with lower ends secured to the frame to define an open top. A pair of front railroad wheels are provided as well as a pair of rear railroad wheels. The bogie has a pair of front support arms and a pair of rear support arms, the front and rear support arms being pivotally secured to the frame adjacent to the front and rear ends respectively for rotatable movement between a lower inoperative position and a raised operative position. The support arms are each in a generally A-shaped configuration with an intermediate cross beam and with a pivot rod at lower ends and with a transverse brace at upper ends. Each transverse brace is formed in an L-shaped configuration with extents for receiving a portion of a truck trailer to be supported and transported.

Abstract: An assembly for coupling to the same bogie the opposite ends of two successive wagon structures having a "V"-shaped front end (18) articulated on the bogie and an open rear end (13) consisting of two parallel arms (14, 15) has a pivoting cross member (26) on the bogie integrated with the "V"-shaped front end of the first wagon structure by which the preceding wagon structure is coupled, the pivoting cross member (26) comprising at each of its ends a receiving support (30, 31) equipped with an immobilizing device for each of the ends of the arms of the rear end (13) of the preceding wagon structure. The ends of the arms (14, 15) each have a junction structure cooperating with each receiving support.

Abstract: There is disclosed a rail bogie for connection with an intermodal or rail highway trailer having conventional highway wheels. The rail bogie includes an adapter engageable with a trailer and incorporating a lift mechanism for enabling the adapter to be lowered or collapsed for insertion beneath a trailer, and to be lifted or extended for raising the trailer and lifting the trailer wheels off of the ground.

Abstract: A retractable intermodal vehicle for supporting and connecting modified semitrailers end-to-end to form a train of trailers capable of being operated on a railroad track; the semitrailers also able to be operated on a highway as regular semitrailers. The intermodal vehicle is comprised of two lower frames, with a wheel/axle assembly mounted to each, and each pivoted from and supporting a single upper frame assembly; the pivoting of these lower frames providing a limited steering of the rail axles relative to the upper frame. Inflatable air springs are mounted between the lower frames and upper frame assembly to allow the upper frame to be raised and lowered.

Abstract: A truck-train system uses a first ("A") railway dolly or bogie to support the front or fifth-wheel hitch end of roadable truck-trailer. It uses a second ("B") railway dolly to support the rear or roadable wheel end of the same truck-trailer. The first ("A") and second ("B") railway dollies are connected to each other by a longitudinal support member having a telescoping central sill. The central sill is adapted to be detachably connected to the first ("A") railway dolly. The longitudinal support member is connected to the second ("B") railway dolly and also supports a raised platform having a deployable ramp for receiving the wheels of a roadable truck-trailer. The telescoping central sill and longitudinal support member can be locked in any fixed position to take up the train draw-bar tension and to provide for truck-trailers of various lengths.

Abstract: A universal coupling adapter connectable to either end of a rail-highway vehicle useful in forming trains of rail-highway vehicles for rail transport comprises a bolster connectable with a rail bogie. The bolster has a support member bearing a semi-trailer mount and a connection assembly. The semi-trailer mount is constructed so as to engage and support a rail-highway vehicle. The connection assembly comprises a connecting slot and a connecting link, with the connecting link, in one embodiment, being shiftable between an extended and a retracted position. The connecting link is disposed substantially within the connecting slot in the extended position, and is disposed substantially outside of the connecting slot in the retracted position. The connection assembly is connectable with a corresponding connection assembly disposed on a rail-highway vehicle. The bolster has an assembly for connecting the bolster to one of a rail car and a locomotive.

Abstract: A rail bogie for hooking with semi-trailers and the like road vehicles comprises a truck having a wheel-mounted chassis and a fifth-wheel frame above the chassis. Power jacks or inflatable balloons are mounted between this chassis and the frame for moving the latter vertically between a low and a high positions relative to the chassis. There is also provided a locking combination on the frame and on the chassis capable of holding the frame releasably locked to the chassis when the said frame has reached the high position aforesaid. The bogie also includes a horizontal fifth-wheel support mounted on the frame for pivotal movement about a vertical axis whereby to allow it to sway laterally and a fifth-wheel is mounted at the other end of the support. The bogie further includes an assembly automatically centering the first wheel on the frame when the latter reaches its high position.

Abstract: A dual-mode semi-trailer having over-the-road or highway running gear with rubber tired wheels in which a demountable flanged rail wheel bogie is employed, the body being supported upon said highway running gear during over-the-road travel by air-springs and being supported upon said rail wheel bogie during travel over railroad tracks, a mechanism being provided to selectively raise and lower said highway running gear for selective use in the railroad mode or highway mode of travel, another mechanism also being provided to attach or detach said rail wheel bogie from said body for operation in the rail or highway mode of travel, the semi-trailers bodies being coupleable end-to-end to form a train of multiple semi-trailers in the railroad mode of travel.

Abstract: An intermodal road/rail transportation system wherein the freight containers or road trailers are adapted for transportation on detachable rail trucks or bogies. The system includes various bogie constructions, locking devices and trailer constructions which obviate the disadvantages of the prior art by, among other things, absorbing and/or minimizing the various stresses applied to the system. In the rail mode, the system allows the sequential starting of rail cars, thereby reducing the force necessary to start a string of trailers. The system also includes a variety of compatibility components to allow use of the system with other dissimilar intermodal or bimodal systems and/or conventional locomotives and freight containers.

Abstract: A rail vehicle, particularly a monorail, has several vehicles or cars, each of two adjacent or neighboring ones of which are connected by way of an associated coupling device. Between each two adjacent vehicles or cars there is mounted a bogie with an axle suspension for supporting wheels and guide wheels running on a track. A guide arrangement is provided between the adjacent vehicles or cars. This guide arrangement together with a connecting joint of the coupling device forms a single substantially vertical steering axis. This single substantially vertical steering axis passes in a vertical median longitudinal plane of the vehicles or cars both through the connecting joint and through bogie-side guide rod bearings and through a wheel axle of the supporting wheels, so that, particularly with regard to quiet travel and straight line passage, the dynamics of vehicle travel or movement are improved.

Abstract: An intermodal road/rail transportation system wherein the freight containers or road trailers are adapted for transportation on detachable rail trucks or bogies. The system includes various bogie constructions, locking devices and trailer constructions which obviate the disadvantages of the prior art by, among other things, absorbing and/or minimizing the various stresses applied to the system. In the rail mode, the system allows the sequential starting of rail cars, thereby reducing the force necessary to start a string of trailers.

Abstract: Improvements with the present invention is concerned relate in particular to special bimodal semi-trailers adapted to travel on both rails and roads, wherewith the rail carriage and the highway carriage as well are removable. The invention may be applied if the highway carriage is non-removable. The invention may be applied if the highway carriage is non-removable, or with other types of bimodal semi-trailers.

Abstract: The semi-trailer is capable of traveling on roads or on rails. It is characterized in that both a rail truck and a highway carriage are rapidly removable. Therefore the semi-trailer can travel on roads with only the highway carriage, and on rails with only the rail truck. The advantage is a reduction in the tare of the rail-operable unit. An additional advantage is the lack of a need for all the means intended for maintaining the wheels of the highway carriage elevated above the plane of the rails when traveling on rails, which means are required for all prior art binary rail and road vehicles. Other characteristics of the invention are the coupling device between the semi-trailers, the system of connection of a center pin socket to a hemispherical center-bearing counter-element of the rail truck, and the use of special support props and jacks.

Abstract: A road/rail transport system is described and comprises rail bogies of the kind having two axles and a central bogie bolster arranged between the axles and transverse to the intended direction of travel and semi-trailers which are preferably of the kind having road wheels at the trailing ends and adapted for connection at their leading ends to a tractor unit. The rail bogie bolster has a pocket in which a mounting member is held, the pocket and mounting member having part spherical surfaces in engagement to permit limited movement of the mounting member relative to the pocket. The mounting member is adapted for releasable attachment to the frame of a semi-trailer which at one end is provided with an aperture for receiving the attachment of the mounting member and which at the other end is connectable to a similar semi-trailer so that a train may be constructed of semi-trailers and bogies with each bogie effectively supporting the weight of one semi-trailer.

Abstract: The articulation system relates to articulated tramway carriages comprising at least two bodies, the opposing ends of which are connected together in an articulated manner in order to maintain substantial continuity of the walking surface, and are supported by wheels at or adjacent to the articulation zone. In the articulation system, the end of each body is supported on its own axle provided with independent wheels, the opposing bodies and the relative axles being connected together by means of a drawbar, slidable connections and/or connecting rods to jointly form a bogie with a non-rigid frame. The axle is of double swanneck shape with uprights for connecting disc brakes on the outside of the wheels.