Carrier ladder and installation method of carrier ladder

Abstract

The invention relates to a carrier ladder and a method for installing the carrier ladder. The carrier ladder comprises: a ladder shaft, which has a lower floor (16), an upper floor (18), an outer lateral partition wall and an inner lateral partition wall, at least one ladder module (8), which comprises a plurality of steps (20), each of which extends from the inner lateral partition wall to the outer lateral partition wall, and one or more ladder modules (8) extend from the lower floor (16) to the upper floor (18). The ladder (4) comprises a structural module (10) extending between the outer lateral partition wall and the inner lateral partition wall in the central area of ​​the ladder shaft (6), the structural module (10) being independent of the outer lateral partition wall and the inner lateral partition wall, the structural module (10) comprising a plurality of step retaining members (22), at least three steps (20) of at least one ladder module (8) are each supported by one of the step retaining members (22).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a carrier ladder, in particular a track carrier ladder, comprising:

[0002] - a stepwell having a lower floor, an upper floor located at a relatively higher level than the lower floor, outer lateral partition walls and inner lateral partition walls,

[0003] - at least one step module comprising a plurality of steps each extending from an inner lateral partition wall to an outer lateral partition wall, the step module or modules extending from a lower floor as far as an upper floor.

[0004] More specifically, the present invention relates to a ladder for mounting on a vehicle, in particular a rail vehicle, in particular a rail vehicle comprising two heights. Background Art

[0005] Such a step is used, for example, for installation in a rail vehicle. The step is in particular installed between a first floor plate of the rail vehicle and a second floor plate of the rail vehicle.

[0006] A ladder comprising a plurality of parts, each part having both a structural and an aesthetic function, can be installed in the field of a rail vehicle. Each part of the ladder is formed in particular from a polyester molded block. These polyester blocks weigh about 45 kg each, for example. Each part has at least one step, at least one skirting and ladder girders on both sides of all the steps, thereby connecting the steps to each other. The ladder girders extend along both sides of the ladder and maintain the steps at the two ends of the ladder girders. Each part is mounted on adjustment studs fixed to the bulkhead or the floor of the rail vehicle, and after adjustment, these adjustment studs ensure sufficient alignment between the parts of the ladder, in particular at the joints between the ladder girders. The discontinuities formed at the joints between the ladder girders are filled with paint to improve the aesthetics of the ladder.

[0007] However, such carrier ladders are not completely satisfactory. In fact, the paint applied at the joint area of ​​the ladder rails detracts from the overall aesthetics of the ladder. Moreover, the installation of such a ladder is lengthy, in particular due to the adjustment steps and the paint filling steps. Due to the weight of these parts, the installation of such a ladder also requires the installation of a handling tool and the collaborative work of two operators. Summary of the invention

[0008] The present invention aims to overcome these drawbacks by providing a ladder having improved aesthetics and simplified assembly.

[0009] To this end, the invention relates to a carrier ladder of the above-mentioned type, characterized in that the ladder comprises a structural module, which extends between outer lateral partitions and inner lateral partitions in a transverse central area of ​​the step shaft, the structural module being independent of the outer lateral partitions and the inner lateral partitions, the structural module comprising a plurality of step retaining members, at least three steps of at least one ladder module being each supported by one of the step retaining members.

[0010] Since the structural module extends in the transverse central area of ​​the stairwell, no ladder stringers are required in such a staircase. Therefore, in the absence of ladder stringers, there is no need to apply decorative paint. This improves the aesthetics of the staircase and facilitates the installation of the staircase.

[0011] The use of this structure also allows reducing the weight of the component, which can then be installed without installing handling tools, all assembly operations can be carried out by just one operator.

[0012] The carrier ladder according to the present invention, in particular the rail carrier ladder, may also include one or more of the following features, which may be used alone or in any technically possible combination:

[0013] - the structural module comprises a longitudinally extending support frame having a lower longitudinal end rigidly fixed to the step shaft at a first level and an upper longitudinal end located at a second level higher than the first level, preferably at a distance from the inner lateral bulkheads and at a distance from the outer lateral bulkheads;

[0014] - the supporting frame is a beam, preferably a rectilinear beam, to which each step retaining member is fixed;

[0015] - Each step retaining member comprises a horizontal plate on which the corresponding step is placed;

[0016] - the step retaining members are regularly spaced in the longitudinal direction of the support frame;

[0017] - each step support member extends over less than 50% of the lateral width of each corresponding step,

[0018] - the step shaft comprises transverse retaining partitions substantially perpendicular to the outer lateral partitions and the inner lateral partitions, the step comprises an upper support fixed to the transverse retaining partitions and a lower support fixed to the lower floor, the lower and upper longitudinal ends of the support frame being fixed to the lower and upper supports respectively;

[0019] - External corner pieces and internal corner pieces integrally connect both sides of each step to the internal and external bulkheads;

[0020] -Lower step module, middle step module and upper step module.

[0021] The present invention also provides a method for installing the carrier ladder as described above, in particular the rail carrier ladder, characterized in that the method comprises:

[0022] - the first stage of placing the structural modules; and

[0023] - A second step of placing at least one step module onto a structural module, in particular placing a lower step module, placing an intermediate step module and placing an upper step module, the structural module comprising a supporting frame.

[0024] According to certain embodiments, the installation method includes one or more of the following features, which are used alone or in combination:

[0025] - The first step of placing the structural modules includes:

[0026] -Integrally connect the lower support member to the lower base plate of the vehicle;

[0027] - Integrally connect the upper support member to the transverse retaining partition;

[0028] - fixing the lower longitudinal ends of the support frame to the lower support members; and

[0029] - fixing the upper longitudinal ends of the support frame to the upper support members; and

[0030] - Integrally attaching the upper support to the carrier comprises an adjustment step in which the upper support is positioned so that the surface of each step retaining member supporting the corresponding step cooperates parallel to the lower floor of the carrier, each step of the ladder module being parallel to each other. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] The invention will be better understood on reading the following description given by way of non-limiting example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0032] Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a carrier ladder according to the present invention;

[0033] Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of a carrier ladder according to the invention when performing a mounting method; and

[0034] Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of a carrier ladder according to the invention at the end of the mounting method. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] In the following description, we consider a direct orthogonal basis (X, Y, Z). The height direction Z is defined according to the height of the vehicle and corresponds to the vertical direction, for example, when the vehicle is on a horizontal lane. The longitudinal direction X corresponds to the front-to-back direction of the vehicle and the lateral direction Y corresponds to the width of the vehicle.

[0036] The terms "up" and "down" as well as "high" and "low" are defined relative to a height direction Z. The terms "left" and "right" are defined relative to a lateral direction Y in a normal direction of travel of the vehicle.

[0037] The term "inner" is to be understood as being closer to a longitudinal line through the center of the carrier than the term "outer", while the term "outer" is to be understood as being further from said longitudinal line through the center of the carrier.

[0038] exist Figure 1 A vehicle 1 comprising a vehicle ladder 4 according to the invention is described in FIG. The vehicle 1 is for example a rail vehicle. As a variant, the vehicle 1 is a bus or a car.

[0039] The carrier ladder 4 comprises a ladder shaft 6 , at least one ladder module 8 and a structural module 10 .

[0040] The stepwell 6 includes an inner lateral partition wall 12 , an outer lateral partition wall 14 , a lower floor 16 , and an upper floor 18 located at a relatively higher level than the lower floor 16 .

[0041] Typically, the step shaft 6 also comprises a transverse retaining wall 19 .

[0042] One or each step module 8 comprises a plurality of steps 20 each extending between the inner lateral bulkhead 12 and the outer lateral bulkhead 14 , the one or more step modules 8 extending from the lower floor 16 to the upper floor 18 .

[0043] The structural module 10 extends between the outer lateral partitions 14 and the inner lateral partitions 12 in the transverse central area of ​​the step shaft 6. The structural module 10 is independent of the outer lateral partitions 14 and the inner lateral partitions 12. The structural module comprises a plurality of step holding members 22. Each step holding member 22 supports one of the steps 20 of one of the step modules 8.

[0044] The structural module 10 comprises a supporting frame 24 to which each step holding member 22 is fixed.

[0045] The stairs 4 include a lower support 26 and an upper support 28 fixed to the step well 6 and held on both sides of the support frame 24 .

[0046] The step shaft 6 forms a space in which the step module 8 and the structural module 10 extend. The inner lateral partition wall 12 and the outer lateral partition wall 14 are substantially parallel to each other and substantially parallel to the plane (Y, Z). In the carrier 1, the outer lateral partition wall 14 is more off-center than the inner lateral partition wall 12. The lower floor 16 and the upper floor 18 are substantially parallel to each other and substantially parallel to the plane (X, Y). The lower floor 16 and the upper floor 18 are perpendicular to the inner lateral partition wall 12 and the outer lateral partition wall 14. The transverse retaining partition wall 19 extends substantially parallel to the plane (Y, Z). The transverse retaining partition wall 19 is substantially perpendicular to the outer lateral partition wall 14 and the inner lateral partition wall 12. The transverse retaining partition wall 19 is perpendicular to the plane formed by the lower floor 16 and the upper floor 18 and the inner lateral partition wall 12 and the outer lateral partition wall 14 and extends between the plane formed by the lower floor 16 and the upper floor 18 and the inner lateral partition wall 12 and the outer lateral partition wall 14.

[0047] At least three and advantageously five step holding members 22 are fixed to the structural module 10. At least three steps 20 of at least one ladder module 8 are each supported by a step holding member.

[0048] The structural modules 10 bear the weight of the step modules 8. The structural modules 10 transmit the forces exerted on the step modules 8 to the step shaft 6. The structural modules 10 bear in particular at least 50% of the weight of each step module 8.

[0049] like Figure 2 As shown, the support frame 24 has an elongated shape defining a longitudinal direction of the support frame 24. The longitudinally elongated support frame 24 has a lower longitudinal end 30 and an upper longitudinal end 32. The lower longitudinal end 30 and the upper longitudinal end 32 are located on both sides of the support frame 24 in the longitudinal direction of the support frame 24.

[0050] The lower longitudinal end 30 of the support frame is rigidly fixed to the step shaft 6 at a first level and the upper longitudinal end 32 is located at a second level higher than the first level.

[0051] The support frame 24 extends in the transverse central region of the step shaft 6. The support frame 24 extends between the inner lateral partitions 12 and the outer lateral partitions 14. The frame extends at a distance from the inner lateral partitions 12 and the outer lateral partitions 14. The frame extends, for example, at an equal distance from the inner lateral partitions 12 and the outer lateral partitions 14. The longitudinal direction of the support frame 24 extends, for example, in a mid-plane of the inner lateral partitions 12 and the outer lateral partitions 14.

[0052] The support frame 24 is a beam to which each step holding member is fixed. The support frame 24 is more specifically a straight beam. The cross section of the beam forming the support frame 24 is, for example, I-shaped, U-shaped, H-shaped, circular or rectangular. According to a specific embodiment, the cross section of the beam forming the support frame 24 is constant.

[0053] like Figure 2 As shown, the step retaining members 22 are integrally connected to the support frame 24. The step retaining members 22 are regularly spaced apart longitudinally along the support frame 24.

[0054] Each step holding member 22 is placed on an upper region of a support frame 24. Each step holding member 22 comprises a connection region 34. Each step holding member comprises a horizontal plate 36 on which a corresponding step 20 is placed.

[0055] Each connection area 34 is, for example, a pole oriented in the vertical direction. Each connection area 34 is placed between the support frame 24 and one of the corresponding horizontal plates 36. Each connection area 34 connects the corresponding horizontal plate 36 to the support frame 24 in one piece.

[0056] Each horizontal plate 36 is fixed to the upper part of one of the corresponding connection areas 34. Each horizontal plate 36 is plate-shaped, for example cylindrical, and more specifically prism-shaped. Each horizontal plate 36 is, for example, parallelepiped. Each horizontal plate 36 includes a mating surface 38 that supports one of the steps 20. Each mating surface 38 is horizontal. Each step retaining member 22 extends over at least 50% of the lateral width of each corresponding step 20. The area of ​​each mating surface 38 is, for example, greater than 50% of the area of ​​the step 20 to which it corresponds.

[0057] The structural module provides sufficient rigidity and firmness to the ladder without ensuring its aesthetics. Therefore, the structural module is light and easy to transport and install.

[0058] Ladder module 8 Figure 3 Each stair module 8 comprises at least two steps 20, at least one skirting board 40 and a plurality of corner pieces 42, in particular a corner piece which is twice as many as a step.

[0059] Each step 20 extends from the inner lateral bulkhead 12 to the outer lateral bulkhead 14. Each step 20 is substantially horizontal. The steps 20 all have substantially the same size. Each step can rest on one of the mating surfaces 38 of the horizontal plate 36 of the step retaining member 22.

[0060] Each skirting board 40 extends from the inner lateral partition 12 to the outer lateral partition 14. Each skirting board 40 is substantially vertical. The skirting boards 40 all have substantially the same size.

[0061] The step module 8 is formed of a simple and lightweight structure which is easy to transport and install.

[0062] Each corner piece 42 is integrally connected at the lateral end of one of the steps 20. Specifically and for each step, the corner piece 42 holds the end of the step 20 on the side of the inner lateral partition wall 12, while the corner piece 42 holds the opposite end of the step 20 on the side of the outer lateral partition wall 14. For each step 20, the corner piece 42 is fixed to the inner lateral partition wall 12 and the corner piece 42 is fixed to the outer lateral partition wall 14. Therefore, the two corner pieces 42 hold each step 20 on the inner lateral partition wall 12 on the one hand and on the outer lateral partition wall 14 on the other hand. The outer corner piece 42 and the inner corner piece 42 integrally connect both sides of each step 20 to the inner lateral partition wall 12 and the outer lateral partition wall 14.

[0063] Corner pieces 42 allow the step 20 to be integrally connected to the lateral bulkheads 12 and 14. This stabilizes the step and allows the lateral bulkheads 12 and 14 to be used instead of the stringers on a conventional ladder, thereby improving the aesthetics of the ladder 1.

[0064] According to a particular embodiment not shown, the ladder comprises a lower ladder module 44 , an intermediate ladder module 46 and an upper ladder module 48 .

[0065] The lower step module 44 , the middle step module 46 and the upper step module 48 are fixed to the structural module 10 .

[0066] The lower step module 44 is fixed in the lower region of the structural module 10. The upper step module 48 is fixed in the upper region of the structural module 10. The intermediate step module 46 is fixed between the lower step module 44 and the upper step module 48.

[0067] According to the embodiment shown, some of the steps 20 of at least one ladder module 8 do not rest on the structural module 10. Therefore, some of the steps 20 rest on the upper bulkhead 50 of the cabin 52.

[0068] The steps 20 and skirting boards of the lower step module 44 , the intermediate step module 46 , and the upper step module 48 are regularly spaced apart in space.

[0069] The lower support 26 is fixed to the lower base plate 16. The support frame 24 is fixed to the lower support 26. The lower support 26 holds the lower longitudinal end 30 on the lower base plate 16.

[0070] The lower and upper longitudinal ends 30, 32 of the support frame 24 are secured to the lower and upper supports 26, 28, respectively.

[0071] The upper support 28 is fixed to the transverse retaining bulkhead 19. The support frame 24 is fixed to the upper support 28. The upper support 28 retains the upper longitudinal end 32 on the transverse retaining bulkhead 19. The fixing position of the upper support 28 on the transverse retaining bulkhead 19 is variable in order to adjust the position of the upper longitudinal end 32. According to a specific embodiment, the fixing position of the upper support 28 is not variable, but the upper support 28 includes an adjustment member.

[0072] The installation method of the carrier step 4 according to the present invention will now be described.

[0073] The installation method for installing the carrier ladder 4 comprises a first step of placing a structural module 10 , followed by a second step of placing at least one ladder module 8 on the structural module 10 , the structural module 10 comprising a supporting frame 24 .

[0074] The first step of placing the structural module 10 includes the action of integrally connecting the lower support 26 to the lower base plate 16. The lower support 26 is integrally connected, for example, using screws or rivets.

[0075] The first step then consists in the act of integrally connecting the upper support 28 to the transverse retaining bulkhead 19. The upper support 28 is integrally connected, for example, by means of screws or rivets.

[0076] The action of integrally connecting the upper support member 28 to the transverse retaining partition 19 includes an adjustment step for adjusting the position of the upper support member 28, in which the position of the upper support member 28 is determined so that the horizontal plate 36 supporting the corresponding step 20 of each step retaining member 22 is parallel to the lower base plate 16 of the carrier, and each step 20 of the ladder module 8 is parallel to each other.

[0077] The step of adjusting the position of the upper support 28 includes measuring and determining the position of the upper support 28 to allow each of the mating surfaces 38 to be parallel to the lower base plate 16 and the upper base plate 18 .

[0078] The first step then comprises the action of fixing the lower longitudinal end 30 of the support frame 24 to the lower support 26, followed by the action of fixing the upper longitudinal end 32 of the support frame 24 to the upper support 28. The upper longitudinal end 32 is fixed to the upper support 28 in the position determined during the adjustment step of adjusting the position of the upper support 28.

[0079] The second step of placing at least one step module 8 on the structural module 10 comprises placing each step module 8 on the structural module 10. The second step comprises placing the lower step module 44, the middle step module 46 and the upper step module 48 on the structural module 10, for example.

[0080] According to the embodiment, the second step is before or after the fixing of the corner piece 42 to the inner lateral partitions 12 and the outer lateral partitions 14 and to the step 20 .

[0081] The installation method includes simple installation steps and enables the carrier ladder 1 to be installed by a single user using simple tools.

[0082] According to an embodiment not shown, all steps 20 of each staircase module 8 rest on the structural module 10 .

Claims

1. A carrier ladder (4), comprising: - a stepwell (6) having a lower floor (16), an upper floor (18) located at a relatively higher level than the lower floor (16), an outer lateral bulkhead (14) and an inner lateral bulkhead (12), - at least one ladder module (8), the at least one ladder module comprising a plurality of steps (20), the plurality of steps each extending from the inner lateral partition (12) to the outer lateral partition (14), the one or more ladder modules (8) extending from the lower floor (16) to the upper floor (18); It is characterized in that the carrier ladder (4) includes a structural module (10), which extends between the outer lateral partition (14) and the inner lateral partition (12) in the transverse center area of ​​the ladder shaft (6), and the structural module (10) is independent of the outer lateral partition (14) and the inner lateral partition (12), and the structural module (10) includes a plurality of step retaining members (22), and at least three steps (20) of at least one ladder module (8) are each supported by one of the step retaining members (22).

2. The carrier ladder (4) according to claim 1, wherein: The structural module (10) comprises a longitudinally extending support frame (24) having a lower longitudinal end (30) and an upper longitudinal end (32), the lower longitudinal end being rigidly fixed to the step shaft at a first level and the upper longitudinal end being located at a second level higher than the first level.

3. The carrier ladder (4) according to claim 2, wherein: The support frame (24) is a beam to which each step retaining member (22) is fixed.

4. The carrier ladder (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: Each step retaining member (22) comprises a horizontal plate (36) on which a corresponding step is placed.

5. The carrier ladder (4) according to any one of claims 2 to 3, wherein: The step shaft (6) includes a transverse retaining partition (19) which is substantially perpendicular to the outer lateral partition (14) and the inner lateral partition (12), the carrier ladder (4) includes an upper support member (28) fixed to the transverse retaining partition (19) and a lower support member (26) fixed to the lower base plate (16), and the lower longitudinal end (30) and the upper longitudinal end (32) of the support frame (24) are respectively fixed to the lower support member (26) and the upper support member (28).

6. The carrier ladder (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The outer corner pieces (42) and the inner corner pieces (42) integrally connect both sides of each step (20) to the inner lateral bulkhead (12) and the outer lateral bulkhead (14).

7. The carrier ladder (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a lower ladder module (44), an intermediate ladder module (46) and an upper ladder module (48).

8. A method for installing a carrier ladder (4), the carrier ladder being the carrier ladder according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The method comprises: - a first step of placing said structural module (10); and - a second step of placing the at least one ladder module (8) on the structural module (10), the structural module (10) comprising a supporting frame (24).

9. The method for installing a mounting carrier ladder (4) according to claim 8, wherein: The first step of placing the structural module (10) comprises: - integrally connecting the lower support member (26) to the lower base plate (16) of the carrier (1); - Integrally connecting the upper support member (28) to the transverse retaining partition (19); - fixing the lower longitudinal end (30) of the support frame (24) to the lower support (26); and - Fixing the upper longitudinal end (32) of the support frame (24) to the upper support (28).

10. The method for installing a mounting carrier ladder (4) according to claim 9, wherein: Integrally connecting the upper support member (28) to the carrier (1) includes an adjustment step, in which the position of the upper support member (28) is determined so that the mating surface (38) of each step holding member (22) supporting the corresponding step (20) is parallel to the lower base plate (16) of the carrier (1), and each step (20) of the ladder module (8) is parallel to each other.

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