With Access Between Vehicles Patents (Class 280/403)
  • Patent number: 11479070
    Abstract: A gangway for a multi-car vehicle, the gangway comprising a bellows and an endframe, whereby the bellows is attached to the endframe, whereby a crimping element is attached to the endframe, the crimping element having a crimping mouth, whereby a part of the bellows is inserted into the crimping mouth and held inside the crimping mouth and/or a holding element is attached to the endframe, the holding element having a holding surface that faces a counter surface on the endframe, whereby a part of the bellows is arranged between the holding surface and the counter surface and is pressed against the counter surface by the holding element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Dellner Couplers AB
    Inventors: Jason Fowler, Daniel Alton
  • Patent number: 11400779
    Abstract: An endframe of a gangway, the endframe configured to be connected to an endframe of a different gangway or to a car of a multi-car vehicle, the endframe comprising a beam, a connector attached to the beam, the connector being configured to connect the beam to a beam of an endframe of a different gangway or to connect the beam to a car of a multi-car vehicle or to connect the beam to a connector attached to a beam of an endframe of a different gangway or to connect the beam to a connector attached to a car of a multi-car vehicle, wherein a contact surface formed by a part of the beam and a groove arranged in the beam, wherein the groove has an opening and walls that delimit the groove, wherein one of the walls delimiting the groove is a backward facing wall, wherein the backward facing wall faces away from the contact surface, wherein the connector has a protrusion that is arranged inside the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Inventors: Jason Fowler, Daniel Alton
  • Patent number: 10981583
    Abstract: A fairing for arrangement between two vehicle parts, in particular of a rail vehicle, movably connected to one another, having at least one fairing element that is arranged at a respective vehicle part, that is elastically deformable, and that has a U-shaped or arcuate cross-section. The fairing also has at least one stabilization body that extends at least sectionally into the fairing element and extends from at least one front face of the fairing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: HÜBNER GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Lars Krug, Andreas Wiegrefe
  • Patent number: 10391826
    Abstract: A gangway for connecting a first car with a second car and allowing passage of passengers from the first car to the second car, has a first hoop for attaching the gangway to the first car, a second hoop for attaching the gangway to the second car, a third hoop and a fourth hoop, the third and fourth hoops being arranged between the first hoop and the second hoop. A connection element is arranged between the third hoop and the fourth hoop and elastically connects the third hoop to the fourth hoop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Dellner Couplers AB
    Inventor: Graham Smith
  • Patent number: 9605472
    Abstract: A connecting means provides a connecting passage between a first compartment of a vehicle and a storage means located in a second compartment of the vehicle. The first and the second compartment are separated by a wall. A catering system for a vehicle includes the connecting means. A method provides a sealed connecting passage between a first compartment of a vehicle and a storage means located in second compartment of a vehicle. The connecting means includes a frame, a hatch arrangement for selectively closing and opening a frame aperture with a hatch cover and a bellows arrangement including a flexible bellows. The flexible bellows can be extended from the frame to a storage means located in the second compartment of the vehicle. A continuous passage defined by the flexible bellows and the frame provides a sealed connecting passage between the first compartment and the storage means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Ebeling, Jens Gärtner, Andreas Köhler, Raj Kotian, Ralph Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 8869706
    Abstract: A bellows is provided as part of a crossway between two vehicles connected to each other in an articulated manner or as a telescopic gangway, with a material web which is provided with a layer of synthetic material. The material web has a top (upper) side made of a textile and a bottom (under) side made of textile (11, 12). The spacer fibers/pile threads (13) are provided between the top side and the bottom side, such that a space between the top side and bottom side results when the material web is in a non-loaded condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Hübner GmbH
    Inventor: Claus-Ekkehard Koukal
  • Patent number: 8833787
    Abstract: The subject matter of the invention is a bellows of a passage or the side panel between two vehicles joined in an articulated manner, e.g. a railway vehicle or an articulated bus, wherein the design contains numerous adjacent pleats, wherein at least on one side of the numerous pleats there is a corrugation element disposed in a pleat, in each case, wherein the ends of the respective pleats and the corrugation element are connected to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Hübner GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Roman Zolotov
  • Publication number: 20140191494
    Abstract: A bellows for a gangway of an articulated vehicle, the articulated vehicle having at least two articulately connected vehicle parts, and has an elastic sheath on its outer side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: HUBNER GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Volker Junke, Reinhard Hubner
  • Patent number: 8733777
    Abstract: A corrugation bellows for a transfer between two articulated vehicles has a plurality of corrugations which are generally U-shaped in cross-section. Two adjacent corrugations are connected together by a frame. The corrugations may have a web interconnecting two limbs, with the web being substantially planar in a substantially neutral state of the bellows. The limbs extend at right angles to the web in a substantially neutral state of the bellows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Hübner GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Volker Junke, Andre Goebels, Lingzhi Li
  • Patent number: 8556285
    Abstract: A bellows provides a transition for two vehicles of an articulated vehicle, which are articulately connected to each other. The bellows has at least one substantially U-shaped circumferential frame, the substantially U-shaped circumferential frame includes at least one coupling arrangement for attaching a cover shaped as an expansion or concertina bellows, and the at least one coupling arrangement is connected with the substantially U-shaped circumferential frame by way of at least one articulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Hübner GmbH
    Inventor: Knud Mosaner
  • Patent number: 8523215
    Abstract: A middle hoop system for a vehicle joint is arranged between a vehicle front part and a vehicle rear part of a vehicle. The middle hoop forms a passage between the vehicle front part and the vehicle rear part, the middle hoop surrounding the passage. A cable which is arranged above the passage extends along a curved path between the vehicle front part and the vehicle rear part. A bearing is provided between the cable and the middle hoop. The bearing has a guide surface permitting a relative movement in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle between the cable and the middle hoop. The cable is subject to a smaller load by the middle hoop system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: ATG Autotechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Denis B. Browne
  • Patent number: 8485108
    Abstract: A device for connecting the gangway bellows cover and the chassis of articulated vehicles comprises a connecting element (2) having a grip portion (3) which can be stably connected to an end edge (102a) of a gangway bellows cover (102) and an engagement portion (4) which can be stably connected to a portion (200) of the vehicle chassis, wherein the grip portion (3) and the engagement portion (4) are rotatably connected to each other in such a way that they rotate relative to each other about a hinge axis (X).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: P.E.I. Protezioni Elaborazioni Industriali S.r.l.
    Inventors: Giorgio Tabellini, Luca Guidi
  • Patent number: 8459683
    Abstract: A gangway includes an articulated bridge which extends between two vehicles coupled in an articulated manner. The articulated bridge has, at both ends, an enclosed carriage whereby at least one enclosed carriage can be attached to the vehicle in such a manner that it may be displaced in a direction perpendicular to the lengthwise axis of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Hübner GmbH
    Inventor: Volker Jünke
  • Publication number: 20130127135
    Abstract: A corrugation bellows for a transfer between two articulated vehicles has a plurality of corrugations which are generally U-shaped in cross-section. Two adjacent corrugations are connected together by a frame. The corrugations may have a web interconnecting two limbs, with the web being substantially planar in a substantially neutral state of the bellows. The limbs extend at right angles to the web in a substantially neutral state of the bellows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: HUBNER GMBH
    Inventor: Hubner GmbH
  • Publication number: 20130049325
    Abstract: A bellows provides a transition for two vehicles of an articulated vehicle, which are articulately connected to each other. The bellows has at least one substantially U-shaped circumferential frame, the substantially U-shaped circumferential frame includes at least one coupling arrangement for attaching a cover shaped as an expansion or concertina bellows, and the at least one coupling arrangement is connected with the substantially U-shaped circumferential frame by way of at least one articulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: Hübner GmbH
    Inventor: Knud Mosaner
  • Patent number: 8382143
    Abstract: The road vehicle comprises a communicating door (8, 9) in each of the front (3) and rear (4) transverse faces, a part at the front and a part at the rear of the split able connection that can combine with that of another identical or same-type vehicle respectively in front (5) and behind (6) so as to constitute a disconnect able articulated connection for aligning the vehicles and obtaining a short distance between the vehicles, a projection at the front or at the rear at the inter-vehicular passenger access, a course set point for the vehicle (6) behind using a system for directional control of the vehicle behind. The road vehicle is applicable to urban public transport vehicles which can form a road train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Lohr Industrie
    Inventor: Jean-Luc Andre
  • Patent number: 8382144
    Abstract: The subject of the invention is a corrugation bellows of a transfer between two vehicles which are articulated together, comprising a plurality of corrugations which are U-shaped in cross-section, wherein two adjacent corrugations are connected together by a frame, wherein the corrugation of U-shaped cross-section has two limbs as well as a web connecting the limbs, wherein the material thickness of the web is greater than the material thickness of the limbs, wherein the material of web and limbs is identical and wherein the web is of substantially planar construction so that the limbs and the web extend at right angles to one another in a substantially neutral setting of the bellows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Hübner GmbH
    Inventors: Volker Jünke, André Goebels
  • Patent number: 8366132
    Abstract: The invention relates to a middle hoop system for a vehicle joint. The vehicle joint is arranged between a vehicle front part and a vehicle rear part of an articulated vehicle, such as for example of an articulated bus, and forms a passage (24) between the vehicle front part and the vehicle rear part. The middle hoop system comprises a middle hoop (12) and a cable guide between the vehicle front part and the vehicle rear part. The middle hoop (12) surrounds the passage (24). The cable guide is arranged above the passage (24). According to the invention, for the cable guide, a leaf spring (14) is provided which extends from the vehicle front part to the vehicle rear part. By means of the leaf spring, cables (16) can be guided between the vehicle front part and the vehicle rear part over the entire length of the leaf spring (14). Undefined movements of the cables when the vehicle front part and the vehicle rear part move relative to one another are eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: ATG Autotechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Denis Browne
  • Patent number: 8336901
    Abstract: An intercommunicating gangway in that two successive road modules (5, 6) are connected by a detachable coupling with a minimum inter-module distance at least in the in-line configuration such that the opposite facing surfaces (3, 4) are each provided with a communicating door (8, 9) which can only be opened in when the two road modules are arranged in an in-line configuration and the vehicle is stopped. The intercommunicating gangway is suitable for use in the urban passenger transport field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Lohr Industrie
    Inventor: Jean-Luc Andre
  • Patent number: 8251394
    Abstract: A system including a low rider saddle mount (302) for safe and legal transportation of multiple vehicles (136, 137) is provided. The system includes a low rider saddle mount (302) having a first horizontal member (304) selectively coupled to one of a towing vehicle (132) and a second vehicle (136), and a second horizontal member (306) selectively coupled to one of the second vehicle (136) and a third vehicle (137). The second horizontal member (306) is vertically spaced apart from the first horizontal member (304). The multiple vehicles (136, 137) are towed in a forward direction. The system may further include a universal folding boom trailer (130). A method for towing multiple vehicles (136, 137) is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Wastow Enterprises, LLC
    Inventor: Doyle E. Watkins
  • Patent number: 8201503
    Abstract: A railcar diaphragm is described having a first and a second plate assembly, a bellows assembly, and a spring assembly. The first plate assembly is coupled to a railcar. The second plate assembly is configured to contact another railcar. The bellows is disposed between first and second plate assemblies. The spring assembly includes a leaf spring and a pivot member coupled to the leaf spring. The first and second plate assemblies are coupled through the spring assembly. The spring assembly has a first and a second configuration based on whether the railcar is engaged to another railcar. The spring assembly and the second plate assembly can collectively swivel about a centerpoint associated with the pivot member when the spring assembly is in the second configuration and the railcar is in a curved portion of a track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: RailPlan International, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas A. Huppert, Terry B. Soesbee, Timothy V. Treadwell
  • Publication number: 20120112432
    Abstract: The subject matter of the invention is a design for creating a bellows of a passage or the side panel between two vehicles joined in an articulated manner, e.g. a railway vehicle or an articulated bus, wherein the design contains numerous adjacent pleats, wherein at least on one side of the numerous pleats there is a corrugated bellow disposed in a pleat, in each case, wherein the ends of the respective pleats and the corrugated bellows are connected to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: Hubner GmbH
    Inventor: ROMAN ZOLOTOV
  • Publication number: 20110272915
    Abstract: A middle hoop system for a vehicle joint is arranged between a vehicle front part and a vehicle rear part of a vehicle. The middle hoop forms a passage between the vehicle front part and the vehicle rear part, the middle hoop surrounding the passage. A cable which is arranged above the passage extends along a curved path between the vehicle front part and the vehicle rear part. A bearing is provided between the cable and the middle hoop. The bearing has a guide surface permitting a relative movement in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle between the cable and the middle hoop. The cable is subject to a smaller load by the middle hoop system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Inventor: Denis B. Browne
  • Publication number: 20110193318
    Abstract: The subject of the invention is a corrugation bellows of a transfer between two vehicles which are articulated together, comprising a plurality of corrugations which are U-shaped in cross-section, wherein two adjacent corrugations are connected together by a frame, wherein the corrugation of U-shaped cross-section has two limbs as well as a web connecting the limbs, wherein the material thickness of the web is greater than the material thickness of the limbs, wherein the material of web and limbs is identical and wherein the web is of substantially planar construction so that the limbs and the web extend at right angles to one another in a substantially neutral setting of the bellows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: Hubner GmbH
    Inventors: Volker Jünke, André Goebels
  • Publication number: 20110089666
    Abstract: An intercommunicating gangway in that two successive road modules (5, 6) are connected by a detachable coupling with a minimum inter-module distance at least in the in-line configuration such that the opposite facing surfaces (3, 4) are each provided with a communicating door (8, 9) which can only be opened in when the two road modules are arranged in an in-line configuration and the vehicle is stopped. The intercommunicating gangway is suitable for use in the urban passenger transport field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: LOHR INDUSTRIE
    Inventor: Jean-Luc Andre
  • Patent number: 7866683
    Abstract: A gangway bellows for lining an intercommunicating gangway between a front car and a rear car which is connected in an articulated fashion to the front car, has a gangway bellows floor that is releasably attached to a gangway bellows body. Two drill holes extend through a first strip which is connected to the gangway bellows floor and through a second strip which is connected to the gangway bellows body. A first bolt and a second bolt are introduced into the drill holes. A securing element which is rigidly connected to the first bolt is provided for the second bolt and has two securing faces which are configured to bear against the end faces of the second bolt in order to hold the first bolt and the second bolt in the drill holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: ATG Autotechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Denis Browne
  • Publication number: 20100308558
    Abstract: A gangway includes an articulated bridge which extends between two vehicles coupled in an articulated manner. The articulated bridge has, at both ends, an enclosed carriage whereby at least one enclosed carriage can be attached to the vehicle in such a manner that it may be displaced in a direction perpendicular to the lengthwise axis of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: Hubner GmbH
    Inventor: Volker Jünke
  • Publication number: 20100283223
    Abstract: The invention relates to a middle hoop system for a vehicle joint. The vehicle joint is arranged between a vehicle front part and a vehicle rear part of an articulated vehicle, such as for example of an articulated bus, and forms a passage (24) between the vehicle front part and the vehicle rear part. The middle hoop system comprises a middle hoop (12) and a cable guide between the vehicle front part and the vehicle rear part. The middle hoop (12) surrounds the passage (24). The cable guide is arranged above the passage (24). According to the invention, for the cable guide, a leaf spring (14) is provided which extends from the vehicle front part to the vehicle rear part. By means of the leaf spring, cables (16) can be guided between the vehicle front part and the vehicle rear part over the entire length of the leaf spring (14). Undefined movements of the cables when the vehicle front part and the vehicle rear part move relative to one another are eliminated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: ATG Autotechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Denis Browne
  • Patent number: 7658396
    Abstract: The invention relates to an articulated vehicle consisting of several vehicle parts (1, 2) which are couplable together, each vehicle part (1, 2) comprising at least two axles and one coupling frame (12) that is connected to said vehicle part (1, 2) through a bellows (13), a joint device (20, 31) being provided between said vehicle part (1, 2) and said coupling frame (12), said joint device (20, 31) comprising a coupling carrier (30) that is located approximately in the plane of said coupling frame (12), said coupling carrier (30) comprising at least coupling means (25) for coupling to the joint device (20, 31) of the other vehicle part (1, 2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Hübner GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Koch, Lothar Scharf, Jens Karasek
  • Publication number: 20100025960
    Abstract: A device for connecting the gangway bellows cover and the chassis of articulated vehicles comprises a connecting element (2) having a hooking portion (3) which can be connected to an end edge (101a) of a gangway bellows cover (101), and an engagement portion (4) which can be inserted in a compartment (400) formed by a rigid support (300) belonging to the vehicle chassis and abutted to at least a first inner wall (310) of the compartment (400); the device also comprising an elastically deformable insertion element (10) which is also positioned in the compartment (400) between the connecting element (2) and a second inner wall (320), so as to stably engage the engagement portion (4) against the first inner wall (310).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: P.E.I. PROTEZIONI ELABORAZIONI INDUSTRIALI S.R.L.
    Inventors: Giorgio TABELLINI, Luca GUIDI
  • Publication number: 20100025962
    Abstract: A gangway bellows cover-style connecting device for articulated vehicles comprises a plurality of bands (2) made of flexible material, equipped with stiffening frames (3), connected to each other and forming a tunnel (4) which has an upper wall (6) and two lateral walls (7) for connecting two coaches of a vehicle to each other, and a closing panel (9) connected to a lower portion of the bands (2) for forming a lower wall of the tunnel (4). The connecting device comprises connecting means (10) acting on ends of respective free edges (13, 16) of the closing panel (9) and of the lateral walls (7) of the tunnel (4), in such a way that the closing panel (9) lies coplanar with the free edges (16) of the lateral walls (7) of the tunnel (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: P.E.I. PROTEZIONI ELABORAZIONI INDUSTRIALI S.R.L.
    Inventors: Giorgio TABELLINI, Luca GUIDI, Denis BROWNE
  • Publication number: 20100025961
    Abstract: A device for connecting the gangway bellows cover and the chassis of articulated vehicles comprises a connecting element (2) having a grip portion (3) which can be stably connected to an end edge (102a) of a gangway bellows cover (102) and an engagement portion (4) which can be stably connected to a portion (200) of the vehicle chassis, wherein the grip portion (3) and the engagement portion (4) are rotatably connected to each other in such a way that they rotate relative to each other about a hinge axis (X).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: P.E.I. PROTEZIONI ELABORAZIONI INDUSTRIALI S.R.L.
    Inventors: Giorgio TABELLINI, Luca GUIDI
  • Patent number: 7600772
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (12) for covering the track joint between the rotary plate (7) and the bellows of the connection (1) between two hinge-linked vehicle sections (3a, 3b), said bellows comprising two side walls (2a) that are joined together through a bellows roof (2c) at least, said track joint cover (12) having, like the bellows of said connection (1), singular corrugations or pleats (13), neighboring corrugations or pleats (13) being joined together by clamping ledges (16) in the region of their one apex at least, and the clamping ledges (16) being fastened at their one end at least to the side wall (2a) of the bellows (2) so as to be vertically movable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Hubner GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Koch, Knud Mosaner
  • Publication number: 20090243257
    Abstract: A gangway bellows for lining an intercommunicating gangway between a front car and a rear car which is connected in an articulated fashion to the front car, has a gangway bellows floor that is releasably attached to a gangway bellows body. Two drill holes extend through a first strip which is connected to the gangway bellows floor and through a second strip which is connected to the gangway bellows body. A first bolt and a second bolt are introduced into the drill holes. A securing element which is rigidly connected to the first bolt is provided for the second bolt and has two securing faces which are configured to bear against the end faces of the second bolt in order to hold the first bolt and the second bolt in the drill holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: ATG Autotechnik GMBH
    Inventor: Denis BROWNE
  • Patent number: 7549378
    Abstract: A large-capacity vehicle is disclosed for transporting people, especially a rail vehicle. The vehicle includes carriages that are coupled by articulated connections, at least two of the carriages being respectively supported on a bogie or the undercarriage. All of the articulated connections enable the carriages to perform a turning movement about the vertical axis during cornering. For a vehicle that has more than three parts, at least one articulated connection is embodied in such a way that the vehicle can carry out pitching motions about the transversal axis in the event of dumping or tipping. One of the articulated connections includes a connection element that is embodied and connected to two carriages in such a way that pivoting and rolling motions can be carried out about the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Volker Albert, Paul Bernard, Dirk Schillings
  • Patent number: 7527278
    Abstract: A method for transporting vehicles is disclosed. The method uses relatively light weight, flexible webbing atop the truck frame in place of hardwood timbers presently used. The advantage is that the timbers need not be transported back to the truck factory or dealership for reuse, only the chains and webbing need to be returned. Thus, it is easier and more economical to return the towing equipment for re-use for the next shipment of trucks. Protective material may be placed atop the truck frame to protect the webbing from sharp corners or edges of the truck frame. Chains may be used on either side of the intermediate axle to attach to the webbing. In one embodiment, sturdy strapping or other materials may be used on either side of the intermediate axle to attach to the webbing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: ATC Leasing Company LLC
    Inventor: Donald W. Schuettenberg
  • Patent number: 7422225
    Abstract: A plurality of trailer arrangements, configurations and assemblies are provided in combination with a tractor to transport wheeled vehicles over the highway, in compliance with current state and federal regulatory requirements and with a view toward future modification of those requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: ATC Leasing Company LLC
    Inventors: Dennis M. Troha, Charles Tinker
  • Patent number: 7338060
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a corridor connection (1) of a connection having a bellows between two vehicles connected together by a joint (30), e.g., of an articulated bus or a vehicle with a trailer, the corridor connection (1) comprising two overlapping bottom plates (2, 3) that are slidable relative to each other, said joint (30) including a joint carrier part (20) that is disposed on the one vehicle part, the lower bottom plate (2) slidably resting on said joint carrier part (20) and the upper bottom plate (3) resting on said lower bottom plate (2) in the region of said joint carrier part (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Hubner GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Koch, Jens Karasek
  • Patent number: 7275901
    Abstract: A transport system having a chassis; a body mounted on the chassis, where the body includes a cabin for transporting at least one passenger; a cabin for the driver; a tandem coupled to the chassis; a drop frame secured to the chassis where the drop frame is below and behind the tandem; and a fifth wheel secured to the drop frame. In various embodiments, the driver cabin and the passenger cabin together form a unitary compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Inventor: Blaine Carroll
  • Patent number: 6840529
    Abstract: A recreational vehicle is made up of a pickup truck, a camper which is releasably mounted on the pickup truck and includes an accessway between the cab of the pickup truck and the camper, and a trailer which communicates with the camper through an articulated passage or walkway to permit movement of occupants between the camper and trailer while the vehicle is in motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Inventor: David B. Call
  • Patent number: 6772698
    Abstract: The invention is structured such that an additional low-floor Vehicle C (intermediate vehicle) is inserted between a high-floor Vehicle A (leading vehicle) and a Vehicle B (trailing vehicle). Between Vehicle A and Vehicle C and between Vehicle B and Vehicle C, un-motorized idling carriages (10) and (24) are used for articulation, respectively. Therefore, the articulation structure that is used between the conventional Vehicle A and Vehicle B can be used also between Vehicle A and Vehicle C, and between Vehicle C and Vehicle B. In other words, the underframe structure of the Vehicle C rear half section is the same as the underframe structure of the Vehicle A rear half section and the underframe structure of Vehicle C top end section is the same as the underframe structure of Vehicle B top end section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: The Kinki Sharyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kozo Ueta, Yasuhiro Azuma, Keisuke Yokota, Akihisa Nakazawa
  • Publication number: 20040075239
    Abstract: A recreational vehicle is made up of a pickup truck, a camper which is releasably mounted on the pickup truck and includes an accessway between the cab of the pickup truck and the camper, and a trailer which communicates with the camper through an articulated passage or walkway to permit movement of occupants between the camper and trailer while the vehicle is in motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventor: David B. Call
  • Patent number: 6250231
    Abstract: The subject matter of the invention is a connection between two vehicle parts of an articulated vehicle, more particularly of an articulated rail vehicle, whereas the two vehicle parts (1, 10) are pivotably connectable in the roof area of the vehicle parts (1, 10) thanks to a slidable lattice stand (40) extending across the longitudinal axis of the articulated vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Hubner Gummi-und Kunststoff GmbH
    Inventor: Jens Karasek
  • Patent number: 6196132
    Abstract: Bellows of a connecting corridor between two hinge-linked vehicles or vehicle parts, whereas the bellows is provided with several bellows elements connected together, whereas each bellows element is showing two opposite legs in the initial state of the bellows, whereas, for additional thermal insulation and silencing, each of the two opposite legs (4, 5) of a bellows element are provided on their inner side with at least one strap-joint (10, 20) provided with a coated tissue, whereas the two strap-joints (10, 20) are overlapping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Hubner Gummi und Kunststoff GmbH
    Inventor: Reinhard Hübner
  • Patent number: 6170682
    Abstract: The car under-frame of the invention comprises a planar coupling member 2 projecting from a first car C toward a second car B, a bearing inner ring 3 positioned on the upper side of planar coupling member 2 and secured rigidly thereto, a bearing outer ring 6 disposed on the outer peripheral side of bearing inner ring 3 through balls, a bearing step 5 positioned on the upper side of bearing outer ring 6 and to which the bearing outer ring is rigidly secured, and an articular coupling member 7 projecting from the second car B toward the first car C to grip a mounting arm 5b of bearing step 5. The mounting arm 5b of bearing step 5 is integral with a generally discoid body segment 5a and disposed below the top end face of body segment 5a and extending radially outwardly from either side of body segment 5a. In accordance with the invention there can be provided a under-frame structure which makes it possible to lower the car floor level without interfering with strength and coupler performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: The Rinki Sharyo Co. Ltd
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Sugimoto, Kozo Ueta, Yoshihiko Miura, Jun Kashima, Tomohide Saito, Toshitaka Funaki
  • Patent number: 6138576
    Abstract: In the device for pivotally connecting neighboring car bodies of a rail vehicle, especially for commuter traffic, each car body (1,2) is supported by a ball-and-socket joint (6) on a common swiveling railway truck (4). The swiveling railway truck (4) carries a central portal (3) between the car bodies and the central portal (3) is coupled kinematically by means of a swiveling linkage mechanism with them in the vicinity of a roof of the car bodies. The swiveling linkage mechanism includes car body arms (7) pivotally connected to the car bodies (1,2) and central portal arms (8) pivotally connected with the central portal (3) and with the car body arms (7). Both car bodies (1,2) and the central portal (3) form lower legs of two kite-shaped quadrilateral linkages and the car body arms (7) and the central portal arms (8) form the upper legs of the quadrilateral linkages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Duewag Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Leszek Szatrowski
  • Patent number: 6085403
    Abstract: A gangway bellows for rolling stock, where the bellows has corrugated regions forming a deformable volume, and comprises a plurality of assembled-together modules, each module being made of a rubber-base material and including at least two corrugated regions that are assembled together by vulcanization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Le Joint Francais S.N.C.
    Inventor: Jean-Claude Petit
  • Patent number: 5884565
    Abstract: A fixture for covering the track joint between the rotary plate of the swivel joint and the bellows or concertina walls of an articulated vehicle comprises a frame to hold the track joint covering bellows, the frame (7, 9) having a mouth (11) that can be used to hold the end of the joint covering bellows (5) is place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Hubner Gummi- und Kunstsoff GmbH
    Inventor: Robert Koch
  • Patent number: 5690033
    Abstract: A deformable gangway (14), located between two successive loading platforms (15) and (16) for a road or a railroad chassis, is composed of a succession of transverse slats (25), such as metallic transverse slats, carried adjacent their ends (39) by two longitudinal supporting and guiding elements (26) and (27). The slats (25) are disposed side by side and separated from one another, at least adjacent their ends (39), by inserts (43) made of an elastic material which bear against the longitudinal supporting and guiding elements (26) and (27). The slats (25) become immobilized, when subjected to a load, and form a fixed supporting area (17) while a remainder of the other slats (25) are still able to move on a curve, as a result of relative movement between adjacent end faces (20, 21) and (22, 23) of the platforms (15) and (16) to which the gangway (14) interconnects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: Lohr Industrie
    Inventor: Jean-Luc Andre
  • Patent number: RE44517
    Abstract: A large-capacity vehicle is disclosed for transporting people, especially a rail vehicle. The vehicle includes carriages that are coupled by articulated connections, at least two of the carriages being respectively supported on a bogie or the undercarriage. All of the articulated connections enable the carriages to perform a turning movement about the vertical axis during cornering. For a vehicle that has more than three parts, at least one articulated connection is embodied in such a way that the vehicle can carry out pitching motions about the transversal axis in the event of dumping or tipping. One of the articulated connections includes a connection element that is embodied and connected to two carriages in such a way that pivoting and rolling motions can be carried out about the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Volker Albert, Paul Bernard, Dirk Schillings