Sidewall Suitable For A Gangway And Gangway

Abstract

A sidewall for a gangway comprises a central main panel having a front side and a back side, a first side panel arranged to partially extend from a first side of the central main panel, the first side panel having a front side and a back side, wherein a part of the front side of the first side panel is arranged facing the back side of the central main panel. A second side panel is arranged to partially extend from a second side of the central main panel, opposite to the first side of the central main panel, a part of the front side of the first side panel being arranged facing the back side of the central main panel. At least one connection rod is provided, whereby a first connection is provided that connects the connection rod to the back of the first side panel, a second connection is provided that connects the connection rod to the back of the central main panel, and a third connection is provided that connects the connection rod to the back of the second side panel.

Claims

1. A sidewall for a gangway, the sidewall comprising: a central main panel having a front side and a back side; a first side panel arranged to partially extend from a first side of the central main panel, the first side panel having a front side and a back side, a part of the front side of the first side panel being arranged facing the back side of the central main panel; a second side panel arranged to partially extend from a second side of the central main panel, opposite to the first side of the central main panel, the second side panel having a front side and a back side, a part of the front side of the second side panel being arranged facing the back side of the central main panel; and at least one connection rod, wherein a first connection is provided that connects the connection rod to the back side of the first side panel; a second connection is provided that connects the connection rod to the back side of the central main panel; a third connection is provided that connects the connection rod to the back side of the second side panel.

2. The sidewall according to claim 1, wherein: the central main panel is made from a first material; and at least one of the first side panel and the second side panel is made from a second material; wherein the first material is more flexible than the second material.

3. The sidewall according to claim 2, wherein the first side panel and the second side panel are made from the second material.

4. The sidewall according to claim 1, wherein at least one of: the front side of the central main panel is a rectangular plane surface; and the front side of the first side panel is a rectangular plane surface; and the front side of the second side panel is a rectangular plane surface.

5. The sidewall according to claim 4, wherein the front side of the central main panel is a rectangular plane surface; and the front side of the first side panel is a rectangular plane surface; and the front side of the second side panel is a rectangular plane surface.

6. The sidewall according to claim 1, further comprising a central rim arranged on the back side of the central main panel, said central rim extending parallel to at least one of the first side and to the second side of the central main panel.

7. The sidewall according to claim 6, wherein said central rim extends parallel to the first side and parallel to the second side of the central main panel.

8. The sidewall according to claim 1, wherein the first connection contains a joint that allows the connection rod to rotate relative to the back side of the first side panel; the second connection contains a joint that allows the connection rod to rotate relative to the back side of the central main panel; a third connection contains a joint that allows the connection rod to rotate relative to the back side of the second side panel.

9. The sidewall according to claim 1, wherein the first connection contains a linear guide that allows the connection rod to move in a linear direction within the first connection; the second connection contains a linear guide that allows the rod to move in a linear direction within the second connection; the third connection contains a linear guide that allows the connection rod to move in a linear direction within the third connection.

10. The sidewall according to claim 1, wherein the connection rod has at least one telescopic section.

11. The sidewall according to claim 1, wherein a first vehicle mounting plate is provided at one side of the first side panel and a second vehicle mounting plate is provided at one side of the second side panel, and wherein a telescopic rod connects the first vehicle mounting plate to the second vehicle mounting plate.

12. A gangway comprising: a floor; and a sidewall, said sidewall comprising: a central main panel having a front side and a back side; a first side panel arranged to partially extend from a first side of the central main panel, the first side panel having a front side and a back side, a part of the front side of the first side panel being arranged facing the back side of the central main panel; a second side panel arranged to partially extend from a second side of the central main panel, opposite to the first side of the central main panel, the second side panel having a front side and a back side, a part of the front side of the second side panel being arranged facing the back side of the central main panel; and at least one connection rod, wherein a first connection is provided that connects the connection rod to the back side of the first side panel; a second connection is provided that connects the connection rod to the back side of the central main panel; a third connection is provided that connects the connection rod to the back side of the second side panel.

13. The gangway of claim 9, further comprising a first vehicle mounting plate arranged at a first gangway end, the first vehicle mounting plate configured to attach the gangway to an end of a vehicle, and a second vehicle mounting plate arranged at a second gangway end, said second gangway end being opposite the first gangway end, the second vehicle mounting plate configured to attach the gangway to an end of another vehicle.

14. A multi-car vehicle comprising: a first car; a second car, a gangway arranged between the first car and the second car; wherein the gangway comprises: a floor; and a sidewall; wherein said sidewall comprises: a central main panel having a front side and a back side; a first side panel arranged to partially extend from a first side of the central main panel, the first side panel having a front side and a back side, a part of the front side of the first side panel being arranged facing the back side of the central main panel; a second side panel arranged to partially extend from a second side of the central main panel, opposite to the first side of the central main panel, the second side panel having a front side and a back side, a part of the front side of the second side panel being arranged facing the back side of the central main panel; and at least one connection rod, wherein a first connection is provided that connects the connection rod to the back side of the first side panel; a second connection is provided that connects the connection rod to the back side of the central main panel; a third connection is provided that connects the connection rod to the back side of the second side panel; wherein the gangway is attached to an end of the first car at a first gangway end, and attached to an end of the second car at a second gangway

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWNGS

[0099] In the following the invention will be described with reference to Figures that show exemplary embodiments of the invention.

[0100] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view onto the front of a sidewall according an embodiment of to the invention;

[0101] FIG. 2 shows a schematic view onto the back of a sidewall according to FIG. 1;

[0102] FIG. 3 shows a schematic view onto the top part of the front of a sidewall according to FIG. 1 with the cover pieces that make up the cover having been removed to show the design of the rod;

[0103] FIG. 4 shows a schematic, partially sectional perspective view onto the back of the sidewall according to FIG. 1;

[0104] FIG. 5 shows a top view onto the sidewall according to FIG. 1 without a rod or a cover;

[0105] FIG. 6 shows a close-up schematic view onto the rod shown in FIG. 3;

[0106] FIG. 7 shows a schematic sectional view of the rod according to FIG. 3;

[0107] FIG. 8 shows a schematic sectional view of a detail of the rod of FIG. 7;

[0108] FIG. 9 shows the view of FIG. 6 with the panels of the sidewall arranged in a different condition;

[0109] FIG. 10 shows a schematic side view onto a lower part of the sidewall and the floor of the gangway;

[0110] FIG. 11 shows a schematic perspective view onto a cover piece;

[0111] FIG. 12 shows a schematic perspective view onto the top of the sidewall;

[0112] FIG. 13 shows a schematic sectional view through the top of the sidewall.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0113] FIG. 1 shows a part of a sidewall 1 and the floor 2 of a gangway, which gangway has two facing sidewalls, a floor 2 and a ceiling (not shown). The gangway has a first vehicle mounting plate 3 arranged at a first gangway end 15, the first vehicle mounting plate 3 being suitable to attach the gangway to an end of a vehicle and a second vehicle mounting plate 4 arranged at a second gangway end 16, said second gangway end 16 being opposite the first gangway end 15, the second vehicle mounting plate 4 being suitable to attach the gangway to an end of a vehicle.

[0114] In FIG. 1 the first vehicle mounting plate 3 and the second vehicle mounting plate 4 each are shown as a vertical bar. The respective vertical bar can be a stand-alone bar with further, separate bars possibly being arranged at the first gangway end and/or the second gang way end respectively in the region of the ceiling and/or the region of the facing sidewall. In an alternative embodiment, the respective vertical bar shown in FIG. 1 can be part of a frame shaped structure, for example a u-shaped structure or a rectangular frame, which serve as interface between the gangway and the respective end of the vehicle.

[0115] The sidewall 1 comprises a central main panel (35) having a front side 50 and a back side 51. A first side panel 17 is arranged to partially extend from a first side 52 of the central main panel 35, the first side panel 17 having a front side 53 and a back side 54, a part 55 of the front side 53 of the first side panel 17 being arranged facing the back side 51 of the central main panel 35. A second side panel 18 is arranged to partially extend from a second side 56 of the central main panel 35, opposite to the first side 52 of the central main panel 35, the second side panel 18 having a front side 57 and a back side 58, a part 59 of the front side 57 of the second side panel 18 being arranged facing the back side 51 of the central main panel 35.

[0116] Two connection rods 60 are provided, one arranged above the other in the direction of the height of the sidewall. The respective upper connection rod 60 being arranged closer to the middle of the sidewall 1 in the height direction than towards a top end 61 of the sidewall 1. The respective lower connection rod 60 being arranged closer to the middle of the sidewall 1 in the height direction than towards a bottom end 62 of the sidewall 1.

[0117] A first connection 63 is provided that connects the connection rod 60 to the back side 54 of the first side panel 17. The first connection 63 comprises a linear guide 64 provided by a bush 65 and a joint 66, the joint being provided by a pin 67 attached to the bush 65, an end 68 of the pin 67 being arranged in a hole of a block 69. The block 69 is attached to the back side 54 of the first side panel 17. The pin 67 is allowed to rotate inside the block 69, thereby allowing the connection rod 60 to rotate relative to the back side 54 of the first side panel 17.

[0118] A second connection 73 is provided that connects the connection rod 60 to the back side 51 of the central main panel 35. The second connection 73 comprises a joint 76, the joint 76 being provided by a pin 77 attached to a central rod 70, an end 78 of the pin 77 being arranged in a hole of a block 79. The block 79 is attached to the back side 51 of the central main panel 35. The pin 77 is allowed to rotate inside the block 79, thereby allowing the connection rod 60 to rotate relative to the back side 51 of the central main panel 35.

[0119] A third connection 83 is provided that connects the connection rod 60 to the back side 58 of the second side panel 18. The third connection 83 comprises a linear guide 84 provided by a bush 85 and a joint 86, the joint being provided by a pin 87 attached to the bush 85, an end 88 of the pin 87 being arranged in a hole of a block 89. The block 89 is attached to the back side 58 of the second side panel 18. The pin 87 is allowed to rotate inside the block 89, thereby allowing the connection rod 60 to rotate relative to the back side 58 of the second side panel 18.

[0120] The central rod 70 is arranged to extend through the bush 65 and the bush 85. The bush 65 defines a linear direction that is parallel to the width direction of the sidewall 1. The bush 85 defines a linear direction that is parallel to the width direction of the sidewall 1.

[0121] A coil spring 71 is arranged between the block 69 and the block 79. A further coil spring 72 is arranged between the block 79 and the block 89.

[0122] The central main panel is made from a glass reinforced plastic.

[0123] The first side panel and the second side panel are made from aluminum, preferably aluminum 6005A.

[0124] Two telescopic rods 80 are provided. The first vehicle mounting plate 3 is provided at one side of the first side panel 17 and the second vehicle mounting plate 4 is provided at one side of the second side panel 18. Each of the two telescopic rods 80 connects the first vehicle mounting plate 3 to the second vehicle mounting plate 4. The upper telescopic rod 80 is arranged closer to the top end 61 than the upper connection rod 60. The lower telescopic rod 80 is arranged closer to the bottom end 62 than the lower connection rod 60.

[0125] The respective telescopic rod 80 is connected to the first vehicle mounting plate 3 by means of a cardan joint 81. The respective telescopic rod 80 is connected to the second vehicle mounting plate 4 by means of a cardan joint 82.

[0126] A coil spring 74 is arranged inside the telescopic rod 80 and pre-tensions the telescopic rod 80 and hence the first vehicle mounting plate 3 and the second vehicle mounting plate 4 into a predetermined position. If the ends of the telescopic rod 80 are moved closer together, which means that the first vehicle mounting plate 3 and the second vehicle mounting plate 4 at those points, where they are connected to the telescopic rod 80, come closer together, the coil spring 74 is compressed and attempts by way of expanding to move the ends of the telescopic rod 80 further apart (e.g. to return to a predetermined position). If the ends of the telescopic rod 80 are moved further apart, which means that the first vehicle mounting plate 3 and the second vehicle mounting plate 4 at those points, where they are connected to the telescopic rod 80, come further apart, the coil spring 74 is expanded and attempts by way of coming back together to move the ends of the telescopic rod 80 closer together (e.g. to return to a predetermined position).

[0127] The slits in tubes 80 and 74 in FIG. 4 are for sliding purpose. In between the tubes 80 and 74 there will be another tube (Central tube) sliding in between. This central tube preferably does not rotate inside the tubes 80 and 74 as this might cause the central main panel to lift itself downwards during normal position since the central main panel is connected to this Center tube.

[0128] To avoid this, the center tube has an extrusion. This extrusion will be slide in the slits on tube 80 and 74. This will avoid the center tube to rotate independently.

[0129] The rotation of the central tube now turned as a dependent tube, dependent on the movement of the tube 80 and 74. The central tube now can be rotated by the tube 80 and 74.

[0130] The gangway has a retractable rail 5 that has a first rail end 6 that is connected to a first side panel 17 and that has a second rail end 7 opposite the first rail end 6, which second rail end 7 is connected to a second side panel 18. The retractable rail 5 extends along a longitudinal axis A.

[0131] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 10, 12 a cover 8 is provided. The cover 8 is attached to the rail 5 and extends along the rail 5. The cover 8 has a flexible portion 9 that extends from the rail 5 into a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A.

[0132] As can be seen from FIGS. 3, 6, 7, 8, 9 the retractable rail 5 is a telescopic rod.

[0133] As can be seen from FIGS. 6 and 9 the first rail end 6 is connected to the first side panel 17 by way of a joint 19 that allows swivel movement of the rail 5 relative to the first side panel 17 and the second rail end 7 is connected to the second side panel 18 by way of a joint 20 that allows swivel movement of the rail 5 relative to the second side panel 18. As can be seen, the joint 20 has a slot 21 and a pin 22 arranged in the slot 21. This arrangement allows a limited linear movement of the second rail end 7 relative to the second side panel 18 in the height direction (the direction upwards in FIG. 9), namely limited by the length of the slot 21.

[0134] The retractable rail 5 is an element that consists of two telescopic rods that have a joint center rod 27. One end of the center rod 27 is arranged within a first end tube 28 to create one telescopic rod, the opposite end of the center rod 27 is arranged within a second end tube 29 to create the second telescopic rod. The first end tube 28 is connected to the first gangway end 15 and the second end tube 29 is connected to the second gangway end 16. The first end tube 28 has an open end into which the one end of the center rod 27 is arranged. A nylon bush 30 is arranged at the open end, the nylon bush 30 being arranged around the center rod 27 and extending inwards into the first end tube 28 from the open end. A rubber bush 31 is arranged around the nylon bush 30, which rubber bush 31 extends inwards into the first end tube 28 from the open end and extends inwards into the first end tube 28 from the open end by the same or a lesser amount than the nylon bush 30. The retractable rail is designed mirror symmetrical about a plane that is arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A as regards the design of a center rod 27 and the design of a first end tube 28 and a second end tube 29, but designed differently as regards the attachment of the first end tube 28 to the first gangway end 15 compared to the attachment of the second end tube 29 to the second gangway end 16.

[0135] The term “connected to the first gangway end” is understood to encompass the shown connection of the first rail end 6 to the first side panel 17 in an endzone 32 of the first side panel 17, the endzone 32 being smaller than a third of the width of the first side panel 17. The term “connected to the second gangway end” is understood to encompass the shown connection of the second rail end 7 to the second side panel 18 in an endzone 33 of the second side panel 18, the endzone 33 being smaller than a third of the width of the second side panel 18.

[0136] A central main panel 35 is provided between the first side panel 17 and the second side panel 18. The rail 5 is connected central main panel 35 by way of a joint 36.

[0137] The cover is made up of a series of individual cover pieces 23, 24. The cover pieces 23, 24 are block-shaped pieces. The cover pieces 23, 24 the same geometric shape and/or size. The cover pieces 23, 24 are connected to the rail 5 and extend from the rail 5 into a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A. The cover pieces 23 are designed to be more flexible in that part that is further away from the rail 5 than that part of the respective cover piece that is attached to the rail 5. The difference in flexibility is achieved by differences in shape of the respective parts of the respective cover piece 23, namely by at least one hole 25 that by its rim and its cooperation with the rail 5 provides stiffness. The rail 5 passes through the hole 25.

[0138] In the series of individual cover pieces 23,24 at least a first sub-series of cover pieces 24 with a first elasticity and a further sub-series of cover pieces 23 with a second elasticity is provided. In a preferred embodiment within the series of individual cover pieces 23, 24 [0139] a first sub-series of cover pieces 24 with a lower elasticity is provided closer to the first gangway end 15, [0140] a second sub-series of cover pieces 24 with the same elasticity than the elasticity of the cover pieces 24 of the first sub-series, is provided closer to the second gangway end 16, [0141] and a third sub-series of cover pieces 23 with a higher elasticity is provided, the cover pieces 23 of the third sub-series being arranged between the cover pieces 24 of the first sub-series and the cover pieces 24 of the second sub-series.

[0142] The difference in elasticity of the cover pieces 23 of the one sub-series relative to the cover pieces 24 of the other sub-series is achieved by having the cover-pieces 23 of the sub-series with the higher elasticity being at least partially hollow and the cover-pieces 24 of the sub-series with the lower elasticity being solid.

[0143] FIG. 12 shows an embodiment where an alternative is implemented, wherein the more flexible, hollow cover pieces 23 are arranged closer to the first gangway end 6 and the second gangway end 7 and the solid cover pieces 24 are arranged in the middle.

[0144] The cover pieces 23, 24 extend away from the rail into the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis by the same amount.

[0145] The flexible portion 9 contains a series of individual cover pieces 23, 24 that are arranged next to each other and that extend into a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A.

[0146] FIG. 10 shows a position of the gangway in a driving condition where the first vehicle mounting plate 3 is situated higher than the second vehicle mounting plate 4. As can be seen from FIG. 8, because the first rail end 6 is attached to the first side panel 17 and because the second rail end 7 is attached to the second side panel 18, the rail 5 and with the cover 8 takes up a slanted position.

[0147] FIG. 10 shows that in this particular embodiment of the gangway the floor 3 has a first tread plate 11 that is attached to the first vehicle mounting plate 3, a central plate 12 that is provided and a second tread plate 14 that is attached to the second vehicle mounting plate 4. The central plate 12 with one end rests on the end of the first tread plate 11 and with another end rests on the second tread plate 14.

[0148] As can be seen in FIG. 10 the driving condition that the gangway has taken up in FIG. 10 leads to the central plate 12 to take up a slanted position.

[0149] As can be seen in FIG. 10, because the cover 8 takes up a slanted position it has the ability to better cover a gap between the bottom end of the sidewall 1 and the parts of the floor 3.

[0150] It is understood that all presented embodiments are only exemplary, and that any feature presented for a particular example embodiment may be used with any aspect of the invention on its own or in combination with any feature presented for the same or another particular example embodiment and/or in combination with any other feature not mentioned. It will further be understood that any feature presented for an example embodiment in a particular category (method/apparatus/system) may also be used in a corresponding manner in an example embodiment of any other category. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the present disclosure as a basis for designing or modifying other processes and structures for carrying out the same purposes and/or achieving the same advantages of the embodiments introduced herein. Those in the art will recognize that other embodiments may be practiced with modifications and alterations limited only by the claims.