Folding staircase for a rail vehicle which can be used on both sides

Abstract

The invention relates to a folding staircase (1) for a passenger rail vehicle (10) and a passenger rail vehicle (10) with at least one folding staircase (1), wherein the folding staircase (1) comprises at least two treads (2), each having a top surface with a first tread (3), wherein the first treads (3) of the at least two treads (2) lie in a common plane in a folded state of the folding staircase (1), so that they form a tread plane, wherein the first treads (3) of the at least two treads (2) are offset from each other in a first unfolded state of the folding staircase (1) in order to form walkable steps of the folding staircase (1).

Description

Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a folding staircase for a passenger rail vehicle and to a passenger rail vehicle with at least one folding staircase, wherein the at least one folding staircase comprises at least two treads, each having a top surface with a first tread, wherein the first treads of the at least two treads lie in a common plane in a folded state of the folding staircase, so that they form a tread plane, wherein the first treads of the at least two treads are offset from each other in a first unfolded state of the folding staircase in order to form walkable steps of the folding staircase. Technical background

[0002] For the evacuation of derailed rail vehicles, so-called evacuation walkways have become known. These are placed between two rail vehicles on directly adjacent, parallel tracks whose entrances face each other, allowing access from the entrance of the rail vehicle being evacuated to the entrance of the other rail vehicle. Evacuation walkways are carried on board the rail vehicles and, when needed, placed between the entrances of the opposing rail vehicles and, if necessary, locked into place. Sufficient space must be provided in the rail vehicles to carry a sufficient number of evacuation walkways. Conventional evacuation walkways are quite heavy and therefore difficult to handle.

[0003] Similarly, folding stairs of this type, also called folding steps or stepladders, are known from the prior art, for example from FR 2 943 012 A1 or US 5 397 143 A, which enable evacuation onto the track bed of the rail vehicle to be evacuated. The folding stairs of FR 2 943 012 A1 appear to be designed to be folded down (cf. Fig. 4 (FR 2 943 012 A1), to create a continuous, level step surface. The folding stairs are usually permanently installed in the boarding areas of the rail vehicles and occupy a large amount of installation space within the rail vehicles.

[0004] Furthermore, folding stairs of this type, often referred to as variable stairs, are a common feature in stage technology used in the event industry. These stairs provide access to the stage with a variable, though usually limited, angle of inclination. They are leaned against the stage and are not permanently attached to it. Summary of the invention

[0005] The invention is based on the objective of simplifying the evacuation of a rail vehicle.

[0006] The problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent patent claims. Further developments and embodiments of the invention are found in the features of the dependent patent claims.

[0007] A folding staircase according to the invention for a rail vehicle combines an evacuation walkway for the horizontal evacuation of passengers from one rail vehicle to another and a staircase for evacuating passengers onto the track bed in one device. It is also suitable for evacuating people with reduced mobility in wheelchairs. A further advantage is its ease of handling. Embodiments of the invention

[0008] A folding staircase according to the invention for a rail vehicle comprises at least two treads. Each of the at least two treads has a top surface with a first tread and a bottom surface opposite the top surface with a second tread. The first and second treads face away from each other and are, in particular, aligned parallel to each other. The treads are walkable and can also be designed or coated to be non-slip. The treads are designed accordingly for use by people. The at least two treads are advantageously identical and arranged parallel to each other.

[0009] When the folding staircase is folded to form an evacuation walkway, particularly a level one, the first tread surfaces of the at least two treads lie in a common plane. The first tread surfaces of the at least two treads thus form a single tread plane. Advantageously, when folded, the at least two treads are aligned with each other so that the second tread surfaces of the at least two treads also lie in a common plane.

[0010] When the folding staircase is folded, the first treads of the at least two steps advantageously lie side by side, forming a small gap that is negligible for people to walk or traverse. Preferably, when the folding staircase is folded, the first treads of the at least two steps form a substantially gap-free and continuous walking surface. When the folding staircase is oriented as intended for use as an evacuation walkway in its folded state, the first treads of the at least two steps are horizontally aligned and face upwards to allow access.

[0011] In addition to providing an evacuation platform, the folding staircase is also easy and space-saving to carry in the rail vehicle when folded.

[0012] In its first unfolded state, the folding staircase has at least two steps arranged in a stepped configuration, with the first tread surfaces of these two treads offset from each other in spaced-apart, parallel planes. Thus, they form usable steps in this first unfolded state. In this first unfolded state, the folding staircase serves to evacuate a rail vehicle onto the track bed on one side. Similarly, in its intended configuration for evacuating a rail vehicle onto the track bed, the first tread surfaces of the at least two treads are horizontally oriented and facing upwards in this first unfolded state, allowing access.

[0013] In contrast, the folding staircase, in its second unfolded state, serves to evacuate the rail vehicle onto the track bed on the opposite side from the first. In this second unfolded state, the at least two treads are offset from each other to form usable steps. Similar to the first unfolded state, the treads are arranged in a stepped configuration in the second unfolded state, with the second tread surfaces of the at least two treads positioned offset from each other in spaced-apart, parallel planes. When the folding staircase is properly configured for evacuating a rail vehicle onto the track bed on its second side, the second tread surfaces of the at least two treads are horizontally oriented and facing upwards to allow access.When the folding stairs are in their second extended position and in their intended orientation for evacuating a rail vehicle, the undersides of the steps face upwards towards the second side of the vehicle. Conversely, when the folding stairs are in their first extended position and in their intended orientation for evacuating a rail vehicle, the undersides of the steps face downwards towards the first side of the vehicle.

[0014] According to a first refinement, the folding staircase comprises several treads. These are advantageously shaped identically and, in particular, arranged identically. The preceding and following statements relating to the at least two treads also apply accordingly to further treads of the folding staircase.

[0015] According to a further embodiment, the folding staircase comprises at least one first stringer, wherein the at least two treads are each rotatably arranged about an axis of rotation parallel to the respective longitudinal axes of the at least two treads, on which the at least one first stringer of the folding staircase is arranged. In particular, the at least two treads are each rotatably connected to the at least one first stringer about their respective longitudinal axes. The longitudinal axes of the at least two treads are perpendicular to the first stringer and parallel to each other.

[0016] Advantageously, the folding staircase comprises two first stiles, with at least two treads fitted between the two first stiles of the folding staircase.

[0017] In a further development, the at least two treads are rotatably connected to the at least one first stringer of the folding staircase, centrally located between their respective first and second end faces. The respective end faces of the at least two treads run parallel to each other and parallel to the respective longitudinal axis of each tread. The first end faces of the treads are located on the same side of the treads and point in the same direction. When the folding staircase is folded, the second end face of one tread is positioned opposite the first end face of an immediately adjacent tread. These end faces are directly adjacent and point towards each other.

[0018] In the first unfolded state of the folding staircase, the intersection edges of the first end faces of the treads with the first tread surfaces of the treads form the front edges of the treads or steps. Conversely, the intersection edges of the second end faces of the treads with the first tread surfaces of the treads form the rear edges of the treads or steps in the first unfolded state. Similarly, in the second unfolded state of the folding staircase, the intersection edges of the first end faces of the treads with the second tread surfaces of the treads form the front edges of the treads or steps, and the intersection edges of the second end faces of the treads with the second tread surfaces of the treads form the rear edges of the treads or steps.

[0019] In a further embodiment of the invention, the folding staircase comprises at least one further, second stringer, in particular two further, second stringers, wherein the at least two treads are each rotatably connected to the at least one second stringer, in particular to both second stringers, of the folding staircase about a further axis of rotation which runs parallel to the respective longitudinal axes of the at least two treads. The at least one second stringer is aligned parallel to the at least one first stringer.

[0020] The at least two footboards are each connected to the at least one second stile, in particular to the two second stiles, of the folding staircase via a connecting element. The connecting elements have a predetermined length and serve as spacers and can also be referred to as guides. The connecting elements are, in particular, rigidly and firmly connected to the footboards and rotatably mounted on the at least second stile. The connecting elements can, for example, be located in the area of ​​the respective first and / or second end face of the footboards.

[0021] The at least one first and at least one second stile are connected to each other via the running boards and can be moved relative to each other via the running boards which are rotatably arranged on the stiles.

[0022] According to a preferred embodiment, the folding staircase thus has four stiles: two first stiles and two second stiles, with the at least two, and in particular the multiple, treads fitted between the two first stiles of the folding staircase. The width of the treads, and thus the distance between the two first stiles, is dimensioned to be suitable for people with limited mobility in wheelchairs. The folding staircase, comprising the at least one first stile, the at least two second stiles, the drive mechanisms, and the treads, is designed to support the weight of heavy people, possibly including a wheelchair.

[0023] A further embodiment of the invention consists in at least one rotatable connection between at least one of the at least two treads and the at least one first stile and / or the at least one second stile being lockable. In particular, the rotatable connections between at least one of the at least two treads and the first stile and the second stile are lockable. This allows the position of the stiles relative to the treads to be fixed and prevents relative movement between the first and second stiles. A set angle of attack of the first stile to horizontally oriented tread surfaces in an unfolded position of the folding staircase can thus be fixed. For this purpose, at least one lockable connection between the tread and stile can have a suitable locking element.

[0024] In a further development, at least one second beam is designed to be length-adjustable at least on one side, and in particular on both sides. For this purpose, the at least one second beam can, for example, include an extendable and lockable telescopic rod at one or both of its ends. The length adjustment serves, in turn, to compensate for height differences and to determine predetermined angles of attack.

[0025] According to a further embodiment of the folding staircase, it, and in particular the at least one first stile of the folding staircase, can have means for positioning and / or locking the folding staircase in the area of ​​an entrance to a rail vehicle, especially on or under an entrance area of ​​a rail vehicle, which is particularly complementary in design. Specifically, the means for positioning and / or locking the folding staircase are arranged on both sides of the rail vehicle, particularly on the at least one first stile of the folding staircase, especially in the area of ​​the respective ends of the at least one first stile. The rail vehicle can also have complementary means in the entrance area, preferably on both sides, so that slippage of the positioned and / or locked folding staircase can be prevented.

[0026] When the folding staircase is used as an evacuation walkway, it rests exclusively on the first, or at least one, stile when folded. The folding staircase can be designed such that, when folded, the second, or at least one, stile also rests on the first, or at least one, stile. Stepping onto the first steps is then safe. The resulting pressure on the steps prevents any further movement of the stiles relative to each other.

[0027] A passenger rail vehicle according to the invention has at least one, in particular continuous, boarding area with boarding doors arranged on both sides of the boarding area, wherein the rail vehicle according to the invention further comprises at least one folding staircase according to the invention. The rail vehicle has a first boarding door, also called an exterior door or access door, on a first side of the rail vehicle in the boarding area, and a second boarding door on the opposite, second side. The boarding area is arranged between the first and the second boarding doors.

[0028] In a further developed form, the rail vehicle has at least one receiving space for the folding staircase, in particular one extending between the first and second sides of the rail vehicle, which is arranged below the at least one boarding area of ​​the rail vehicle, in particular below a floor of the at least one boarding area of ​​the rail vehicle, wherein the at least one receiving space for the folding staircase has a first external opening on the first side of the rail vehicle and a second external opening on the second side of the rail vehicle, wherein the folding staircase is arranged in the receiving space in the fully folded state during normal operation of the rail vehicle, in particular perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the rail vehicle, and can be extended and / or pulled out from the first external opening and / or from the second external opening in the event of evacuation.Naturally, in the event of an evacuation, the folding staircase can only be extended or pulled out on one side. However, the rail vehicle is designed so that the folding staircase can be extended and / or pulled out on both sides in the event of an evacuation. The first and / or second external opening can each be fitted with an external flap, which can be sealed tightly.

[0029] According to further training, the folding staircase is connected to the rail vehicle, for example via a rail system in the passenger compartment, so that it cannot be detached from the rail vehicle without tools. The folding staircase is thus permanently attached to the rail vehicle, meaning that while it can be moved within the passenger compartment between the first and second sides of the rail vehicle, and in particular, moved and extended from both sides, it cannot be detached from the rail vehicle without tools. This significantly reduces the weight that the rail vehicle personnel have to move in the event of an evacuation.

[0030] According to a further embodiment, the rail vehicle comprises a guide for the folding staircase in the receiving space perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the rail vehicle, such that the folding staircase is movable along the guide perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the rail vehicle in the receiving space, in particular, is displaceable in the receiving space, wherein the rail vehicle, in particular the guide, has at least one first stop in the area of ​​the first outer opening and / or wherein the rail vehicle, in particular the guide, has at least one second stop in the area of ​​the second outer opening, and wherein the folding staircase, in particular on the at least one first stile of the folding staircase, has at least one complementary first means for attaching and / or locking the folding staircase to the rail vehicle, which is located at a second end of the folding staircase, in particular on the at least one first stile of the folding staircase.is arranged and / or wherein the folding staircase, in particular at the at least one first stile of the folding staircase, has at least one complementary second means for attaching and / or locking the folding staircase to the rail vehicle, which is arranged at a first end of the folding staircase, in particular at the at least one first stile of the folding staircase, wherein the folding staircase is fully received in the receiving space and is arranged and aligned such that its first end points towards the first outer opening and the folding staircase can be extended and / or pulled out of the first outer opening with its first end first, and that its second end points towards the second outer opening and the folding staircase can be extended and / or pulled out of the second outer opening with its second end first, wherein the first stop and the second means for attaching and / or locking the folding staircase to the rail vehicle are configured in such a way as tothat the second means for attaching and / or locking the folding staircase can be moved past the first stop and / or wherein the second stop and the first means for attaching and / or locking the folding staircase on the rail vehicle are designed in such a way that the first means for attaching and / or locking the folding staircase can be moved past the second stop, wherein the first stop and the first means for attaching and / or locking the folding staircase on the rail vehicle are designed in such a way that the first means for attaching and / or locking the folding staircase comes into contact with the first stop and blocks movement of the second end of the folding staircase away from the rail vehicle and / or wherein the second stop and the second means for attaching and / or locking the folding staircase on the rail vehicle are designed in such a way as tothat the second means for installing and / or locking the folding staircase comes into contact with the second stop of the installation and blocks any movement of the second end of the folding staircase away from the rail vehicle.

[0031] In particular, the stops and the means for securing and / or locking the folding stairs are provided on both sides. The stops do not impede the removal of the folding stairs from the rail vehicle until the corresponding complementary means are engaged, so that the folding stairs can be almost completely removed from the rail vehicle. The free end of the folding stairs, in its folded state, can then be brought to rest against another rail vehicle. In its extended state, it can be unfolded onto the track bed, and the end still inside the rail vehicle is secured by the corresponding stops and the complementary means for securing and / or locking it to the rail vehicle.

[0032] Regardless of the grammatical gender of a particular term, persons with male, female or other gender identities are included.

[0033] The invention allows for numerous embodiments. It is explained in more detail with reference to the following figures, each of which illustrates an exemplary embodiment. Identical elements in the figures are designated with the same reference numerals. Exemplary embodiments of the drawing

[0034] Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a folding staircase according to the invention in a first unfolded state in a three-dimensional view, Fig. 2 shows the folding staircase made of Fig. 1 In a second unfolded state in a three-dimensional view, Fig. 3 shows the folding staircase made of Fig. 1In a folded state in a three-dimensional view, Fig. 4 schematically shows the step kinematics of a variant of a folding staircase in a first unfolded state, Fig. 5 schematically shows the step kinematics of the folding staircase made of Fig. 4 In a folded state, Fig. 6 shows a schematic cross-section of a variant of a rail vehicle according to the invention. Detailed description of the exemplary implementations

[0035] In Fig. 1Figure 1 schematically illustrates a first embodiment of a folding staircase 1 according to the invention in a three-dimensional view. The folding staircase 1 is in a first unfolded state. It comprises two first stiles 5 and several treads 2 arranged between the two first stiles 5. The treads 2 are each connected to the first stiles 5 centrally between their first end faces 7 and their second end faces 8, for example, in a simple form by means of pins 19 in complementary bores in the first stiles 5. The treads 2 are connected to the first stiles 5 in such a way that they can each rotate about axes parallel to their respective longitudinal axes. Here, the treads 2 are designed to be rotatable about the pins 19, which lie on their respective longitudinal axes, relative to the first stiles 5.

[0036] Furthermore, the folding staircase 1 comprises two second stiles 6, which lie parallel to the first stiles 5 and are connected to the first stiles 5 via the treads 2, as described below. The treads 2 are connected to the second stiles 6 via carriers 9, which are rigidly arranged on the treads 2, here in the area of ​​the first end faces 7 of the treads 2, also by means of pins 20, so that the carriers 9 and thus also the treads 2 are rotatably connected to the second stiles 6 about axes parallel to their respective longitudinal axes. This enables a pivoting-sliding movement between the first stiles 5 and the second stiles 6, which causes the treads 2 to rotate about their axes of rotation on the first stiles 5, in particular about their longitudinal axes. Thus, the folding staircase 1 can be moved from the first unfolded state to a folded state (cf. Fig. 3) and furthermore into a second unfolded state (cf. Fig. 2 ) transfer.

[0037] The footboards 2 each have two surfaces that can be walked on – a first footboard 3 and a second footboard. In the first unfolded position, the first footboard 3 is accessible; it is located on the top and is in Fig. 1 to be seen. The second step is located in Fig. 1 on the underside of the running boards.

[0038] The folding staircase 1 rests on the ground at its first end 17 and on a raised platform at its second end 18. The platform forms an entry area for a rail vehicle. The ground represents a track bed. The first stiles 5 are in direct contact with both the ground and the rail vehicle.

[0039] To achieve improved support of the folding staircase 1 on the ground and to prevent a pivoting-sliding movement between the first stiles 5 and the second stiles 6, the second stiles 6 can be designed to be length-adjustable, for example telescopically, in the region of the first end 17 of the folding staircase 1, so that the second stiles 6 are also supported on the ground. Furthermore, the rotatable connections 19, 20 of the treads 2 to the first stiles 5 and / or the second stiles 6 can be lockable. To achieve improved attachment of the folding staircase 1 to the rail vehicle, the folding staircase 1, here the first stiles 5 of the folding staircase 1, can have means for attachment and / or locking of the folding staircase 1 to the rail vehicle in the region of its second end 18.

[0040] In Fig. 2The folding staircase 1 is now illustrated in its second unfolded state. Its first end 17 rests against or on the entrance area of ​​a rail vehicle, while its second end 18 rests on the ground. Similarly, means for attaching and / or locking the folding staircase 1 to the rail vehicle can be provided in the area of ​​its first end 17, particularly on the first stiles 5, as well as length-adjustable second stiles 6 in the area of ​​its second end 18. In the second unfolded state of the folding staircase 1, the second treads 4 of the footboards 2 are now on top and can be accessed.

[0041] In the folded state of the folding staircase 1 according to Fig. 3The first stiles 5 and the second stiles 6 rest on top of each other, and the first treads 3 form an approximately gap-free, common walking surface. Again, the first end faces 7 of the treads 2 point in the same common direction, and the second end faces 8 in the opposite direction. In the event of an evacuation, the folding staircase 1 is placed on the first stiles 5 at its ends 17 and 18, thus bridging the gap between the rail vehicles and the boarding areas of opposing rail vehicles. Stepping onto the first treads 3 of the treads 2 is safe because doing so exerts a force on them that counteracts any movement of the second stiles 6 relative to the first stiles 5.

[0042] In the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5The schematic diagram illustrates the operation of a folding staircase 1 according to the invention. The treads 2 are rotatably connected to the first stiles 5 at reference points 19 and to the second stiles 6 at reference points 20 via the drivers 9. They are aligned with each other such that their first end faces 7 point in a common direction and their second end faces 8 point in the opposite direction. In these illustrations, the first treads 3 are at the top and thus accessible, and the second treads 4 are perpendicular to the ground. The first and second stiles 5 and 6 form a parallelogram. The first stiles 5 are supported on the ground.

[0043] Fig. 6Figure 1 schematically shows a cross-sectional example of an embodiment of a rail vehicle 10 according to the invention. The rail vehicle 10 comprises an entry area 11 with an entry door 12 on a first side and an entry door 12 on an opposite second side of the rail vehicle 10. Below a floor 14 in the entry area 11, the rail vehicle 10 has a receiving space 13 for the folding staircase 1, which extends from a first outer opening 15 on the first side of the rail vehicle 10 to a second outer opening 16 on the second side of the rail vehicle 10 and is dimensioned such that the folding staircase 1 can be completely accommodated in the receiving space 13 when folded.

[0044] In the event of an evacuation, the folding staircase 1 is pulled out of the first or second external opening 15, 16 while folded. The external openings 15, 16 can be tightly closed with external flaps. Reference symbol list

[0045] 1 Folding staircase 2 Tread of the folding staircase 3 First tread on the top of a tread of the folding staircase 4 Second tread on the underside of a tread of the folding staircase 5 First stile of the folding staircase 6 Second stile of the folding staircase 7 First end face of a tread of the folding staircase 8 Second end face of a tread of the folding staircase 9 Carrier 10 Passenger rail vehicle 11 Entrance area of ​​the rail vehicle 12 Entrance door of the rail vehicle 13 Storage compartment for the folding staircase 14 Floor of the entrance area 15 First outer opening of the storage compartment for the folding staircase 16 Second outer opening of the storage compartment for the folding staircase 17 First end of the folding staircase 18 Second end of the folding staircase 19 Pin 20 Pin

Claims

1. Folding staircase (1) for a rail vehicle (10) with at least two treads (2), wherein the at least two treads (2) each have a top surface with a first tread (3), wherein the first treads (3) of the at least two treads (2) lie in a common plane in a folded state of the folding staircase (1) so that they form a tread plane, wherein the first treads (3) of the at least two treads (2) are offset from each other in a first unfolded state of the folding staircase (1) in order to form walkable steps of the folding staircase (1), characterized by the fact that the at least two footboards (3) each have an underside with a second tread surface (4) which are offset from each other in a second unfolded state of the folding staircase (1) in order to form walkable steps of the folding staircase (1).

2. Folding staircase (1) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact thatthe at least two footboards (2) are each rotatable to at least one first stile (5) of the folding staircase (1) on which at least one first stile (5) of the folding staircase (1) is arranged.

3. Folding staircase (1) according to claim 2, characterized by the fact that the at least two treads (2) are connected centrally between a respective first end face (7) and a respective second end face (8) of the treads (2) to the at least one first stringer (5) of the folding staircase (1).

4. Folding staircase (1) according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized by the fact that the folding staircase (1) comprises at least one further, second stile (6), wherein the at least two treads (2) are each rotatably arranged on the at least one second stile (5) of the folding staircase (1).

5. Folding staircase (1) according to claim 4, characterized by the fact thatthe at least two footboards (2) are each connected via a carrier (9) to the at least one second stile (5) of the folding staircase (1).

6. Folding staircase (1) according to one of claims 4 or 5, characterized by the fact that at least one rotatable connection of at least one footboard (2) to the first stile (5) and / or to the second stile (6) can be fixed.

7. Folding staircase (1) according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized by the fact that the second spar (6) is designed to be length-adjustable at least on one side.

8. Folding staircase (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by the fact that the folding staircase (1) includes means for installing and / or locking the folding staircase (1) in the area of ​​an entrance to a rail vehicle (10).

9. Passenger rail vehicle (10) with an boarding area (11) with a first boarding door (12) on a first side of the rail vehicle and a second boarding door (12) opposite the first boarding door (12) on a second side of the rail vehicle (10), characterized by the fact that it comprises a folding staircase (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8.

10. Rail vehicle (10) for passenger transport according to claim 9, characterized by the fact thatthe rail vehicle (10) has a receiving space (13) for the folding staircase (1) which is arranged below the boarding area (11) and which has a first external opening (15) on the first side of the rail vehicle and a second external opening (16) on the second side of the rail vehicle, wherein the folding staircase (1) is arranged completely in the receiving space (13) in the normal operation of the rail vehicle (10) in the folded state and perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the rail vehicle (10) and is extendable and / or retractable from the first external opening (15) and from the second external opening (16) in the event of evacuation.

11. Passenger rail vehicle (10) according to one of claims 9 or 10, characterized by the fact that the folding staircase (1) is connected to the rail vehicle (10) so that it cannot be separated from the rail vehicle (10) without tools.

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