Tool for moving a coupling of a railway vehicle, associated assembly and method of use

Abstract

Tool for moving a coupling of a railway vehicle, associated assembly and method of use The tool (6) is manually operable to move a coupling (12) of a railway vehicle (4) laterally relative to a chassis of the railway vehicle (4), the tool (6) comprising: - a support (20) configured to be fixed on the chassis of the railway vehicle (4); - an actuating mechanism (18) configured to be arranged between the coupling (12) and the support (20) fixed on the chassis of the railway vehicle (4) so as to act on the coupling (12) and the support (20) to bring them closer to or move them apart from each other; and - an operating member (24) mounted to rotate about an axis of rotation, the rotation of the operating member (24) making it possible to manually drive the actuating mechanism (18) to bring the coupling (12) and the support (20) closer to or further apart from each other. Figure for the abstract: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Tool for moving a coupling of a railway vehicle, associated assembly and method of use

[0001] The present invention relates to a manually operable tool for moving a coupling of a railway vehicle laterally relative to a chassis of the railway vehicle.

[0002] Document US 357,562 describes such a tool. The tool in question comprises a rod whose end is provided with a fork. The rod allows an operator to grasp the coupling of the railway vehicle and move it by pulling on the rod.

[0003] However, the tool as described requires the operator handling the tool to apply a significant tractive force to the coupling in order to move it. The operation carried out can therefore be difficult for the operator.

[0004] One of the aims of the invention is to overcome this drawback by proposing a tool allowing easy movement of the coupling with manual drive.

[0005] To this end, the invention relates to a manually operable tool for moving a coupling of a railway vehicle laterally relative to a chassis of the railway vehicle, the tool comprising:

[0006] - a support configured to be fixed on the chassis of the railway vehicle;

[0007] - an actuating mechanism configured to be disposed between the hitch and the support fixed to the chassis of the railway vehicle so as to act on the coupling and the support to bring them closer or move them apart from each other; and

[0008] - an operating member mounted to rotate about an axis of rotation, the rotation of the operating member for manually driving the actuating mechanism to move the coupling and the support closer to or further apart from each other.

[0009] Thanks to the tool, it is possible to move the coupling laterally relative to the chassis of the railway vehicle by applying a significant tractive force to it via the actuating mechanism, while requiring the operator to apply a moderate force to rotate the operating member.

[0010] In particular embodiments, the tool comprises one or more of the following optional features, taken in isolation or in all technically possible combinations:

[0011] - the actuating mechanism comprises:

[0012] - an actuating rod;

[0013] - a first connecting member for connecting the actuating rod to the support; and

[0014] - a second connecting member for connecting the actuating rod to the coupling;

[0015] the first connecting member and the second connecting member being movable one from the other. relative to each other along the rod to bring the coupling and the support closer to or further apart from each other, the rotation of the operating member controlling the movement of the first connecting member and the second connecting member relative to each other along the actuating rod;

[0016] - the first connecting member is movable along the actuating rod;

[0017] - the first connecting member is connected to the actuating rod such that the rotation of the actuating rod moves the first connecting member along the actuating rod;

[0018] - the second connecting member is fixed along the actuating rod;

[0019] - the actuating rod extends along an extension axis, the rotation of the member of maneuver around its axis of rotation causing the actuating rod to rotate around its extension axis; and

[0020] - the first connecting member is configured to bear on the support and the second connecting member is configured to be attached to the hitch.

[0021] The invention also relates to an assembly comprising a first railway vehicle and an implement as described above, the first railway vehicle comprising a coupling coupler with a coupling coupler of a second railway vehicle, the implement being manually operable to move the coupling coupler of the first railway vehicle laterally relative to the chassis of the first railway vehicle for the purpose of coupling it with the coupling coupler of the second railway vehicle.

[0022] The assembly according to the invention may also comprise the following characteristic:

[0023] - the first railway vehicle comprises a shock absorber, the support being configured to be fixed on the shock absorber.

[0024] The invention also relates to a method of using a tool as described above, the method comprising the following steps:

[0025] - fixing the support on the chassis of the railway vehicle and installation of the actuating mechanism between the hitch and the support; and

[0026] - rotation of the operating member to drive the actuating mechanism of way to bring the hitch and the support closer or further apart.

[0027] The invention will be better understood on reading the following description given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0028] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] is a schematic front view of the coupling end of a railway vehicle on which a tool according to the invention is installed; and

[0029] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a schematic top view of a portion of the coupling end shown in [Fig.l].

[0030] With reference to Figures 1 and 2, an assembly 2 comprises a railway vehicle 4 and a tool 6.

[0031] The railway vehicle 4 extends in a longitudinal direction parallel to a direction of travel of the railway vehicle 4. In the following, the terms “longitudinal” and “lateral” are understood to refer to the longitudinal direction of the railway vehicle 4.

[0032] Only one coupling end 10 of the railway vehicle 4 is visible in Figures 1 and 2.

[0033] The railway vehicle 4, also called the first railway vehicle, can be coupled, at its coupling end 10, with another railway vehicle also called the second railway vehicle (not shown).

[0034] To do this, the railway vehicle 4 comprises, at its coupling end 10, a coupling 12 for coupling with a coupling of the other railway vehicle.

[0035] The coupling 12 is laterally movable relative to a chassis of the railway vehicle 4 to allow the passage of curves when the railway vehicle 4 is coupled to the other railway vehicle.

[0036] The railway vehicle 4 comprises, for example, at least one shock absorber 14. Each shock absorber 14 is fixed to the chassis of the railway vehicle 4.

[0037] Each shock absorber 14 is intended to absorb a shock occurring, for example, between the railway vehicle 4 and another railway vehicle when coupling the railway vehicle 4 with this other railway vehicle.

[0038] As illustrated in [Fig.l], the railway vehicle 4 comprises for example two shock absorbers 14 located laterally on either side of the coupling 12.

[0039] The tool 6 is manually operable to move the coupling 12 of the railway vehicle 4 laterally relative to the chassis of the railway vehicle 4, for example, with a view to coupling it with the coupling of the other railway vehicle.

[0040] The tool 6 comprises a support 20 configured to be fixed on the chassis of the railway vehicle 4, an actuating mechanism 18 configured to be arranged between the coupling 12 and the support 20 fixed on the chassis of the railway vehicle 4 so as to act on the coupling 12 and the support 20 to bring them closer to or move them apart from each other and an operating member 24 mounted to rotate about an axis of rotation, the rotation of the operating member 24 making it possible to manually drive the actuating mechanism 18 to bring the coupling 12 and the support 20 closer to or move them apart from each other.

[0041] The actuating mechanism 18 comprises for example an actuating rod 22 configured to extend between the coupling 12 and the support 20 while being connected to the coupling 12 and the support 20. The actuating rod 22 is configured to apply a force between the coupling 12 and the support 20 to bring them closer to or move them apart from each other.

[0042] The support 20 is configured to be fixed on the chassis of the railway vehicle 4, by example, on a shock absorber 14.

[0043] The support 20 comprises, for example, a body 30 and an arm 32.

[0044] The body 30 is configured to be attached to the railway vehicle 4, for example, to a shock absorber 14 of the railway vehicle 4.

[0045] The body 30 is, for example, formed by a plate serving as a base for the arm 32. When the body 30 is fixed to the railway vehicle 4, it extends, for example, substantially in a vertical plane perpendicular to the direction of travel of the railway vehicle 4.

[0046] The arm 32 extends from the body 30. For example, when the body 30 is fixed to the railway vehicle 4, the arm 32 extends substantially in a vertical plane parallel to the direction of travel of the railway vehicle 4.

[0047] The arm 32 is configured to connect the actuating rod 22 to the support 20.

[0048] The arm 32 defines for example an opening 34 (visible in [Fig.2]) for the passage of the actuating rod 22. The opening 34 is for example a notch opening onto an upper surface of the arm 32.

[0049] The actuating mechanism 18 comprises a first connecting member 26 and a second connecting member 28 arranged on the actuating rod 22 to connect the actuating rod 22 respectively to the support 20 and to the coupling 12, so as to be able to exert a force between the coupling 12 and the support 20 via the actuating rod 22.

[0050] The actuating rod 22 extends along an extension axis A-A'.

[0051] The first connecting member 26 and the second connecting member 28 are movable relative to each other along the actuating rod 22 to bring the coupling 12 and the support 20 closer to or further apart from each other.

[0052] In an exemplary embodiment, the first connecting member 26 is configured to bear against the support 20.

[0053] Thus, the forces of bringing the coupling 12 and the support 20 together or apart are transmitted to the support 20 via the first connecting member 26 bearing against the support 20.

[0054] In particular, the actuating rod 22 is designed to extend through the opening 34 of the arm 32, the first connecting member 26 bearing on a face of the arm 32 facing away from the coupling 12.

[0055] In an exemplary embodiment, the first connecting member 26 is movable along the actuating rod 22 to bring the coupling 12 and the support 20 closer to or further apart from each other.

[0056] In particular, the first connecting member 26 and the actuating rod 22 are provided with complementary threads, such that the rotation of the actuating rod 22 around its extension axis A-A' relative to the first member connecting member 26 causes the first connecting member 26 to move along the actuating rod 22.

[0057] In an exemplary embodiment, the operating member 24 is coupled to the actuating rod 22 such that the rotation of the operating member 24 causes the rotation of the actuating rod 22 around its extension axis A-A'.

[0058] When the actuating rod 22 rotates around its extension axis A-A', the rotation of the first connecting member 26 around the extension axis A-A' is blocked due to the contact of the first connecting member 26 with the support 20 and / or blocked manually by the operator.

[0059] Thus, the rotation of the operating member 24 causes the movement of the first connecting member 26 along the actuating rod 22.

[0060] The actuating rod 22 has a first end 44 and a second end 46.

[0061] The second connecting member 28 is for example arranged at the second end 46 of the actuating rod 22.

[0062] The second connecting member 28 is for example configured to attach to the coupling 12. The second connecting member 28 has for example the shape of a hook configured to attach to a pin of the coupling 12.

[0063] The second connecting member 28 is mounted at the second end 46 of the actuating rod 22 while being rotatable relative to the actuating rod 22 around the extension axis A-A'.

[0064] Thus, when the actuating rod 22 is connected to the coupling 12 via the second connecting member 28, the actuating rod 22 can pivot freely around its extension axis A-A' relative to the coupling 12 while remaining connected to the coupling 12 via the second connecting element 28.

[0065] In an exemplary embodiment, the second connecting member 28 is fixed in translation along the actuating rod 22.

[0066] The operating member 24 is intended to be manipulated by a user wishing to move the coupling 12 laterally relative to the chassis of the vehicle 4.

[0067] The operating member 24 is movable in rotation around an axis of rotation.

[0068] The rotation of the operating member 24 around its axis of rotation causes the moving the first connecting element 26 and the second connecting element 28 relative to each other along the actuating rod 22.

[0069] For example, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the rotation axis of the operating member 24 and the extension axis A-A' of the actuating rod 22 are the same. The operating member 24 is rotatable about the extension axis A-A' of the actuating rod 22.

[0070] In an exemplary embodiment, the rotation of the operating member 24 causes the rotation of the actuating rod 22 around its extension axis A-A'.

[0071] As illustrated, the operating member 24 is, for example, formed by a crank integral in rotation with the actuating rod 22.

[0072] The operating member 24 is for example arranged at the first end 44 of the actuating rod 22.

[0073] In the following, a method of using a tool 6 as described previously is described.

[0074] The tool 6 is used to move the coupling 12 laterally relative to the chassis of the railway vehicle 4, for example, for coupling it with the coupling of the other railway vehicle.

[0075] This may prove necessary when the coupling of the railway vehicle 4 and the other railway vehicle is carried out in a curve of the railway track, so that the coupling 12 of the railway vehicle 4 and that of the other railway vehicle are not opposite each other before their mutual coupling.

[0076] The tool 6 is first positioned on the railway vehicle 4. To do this, the support 20 is fixed on the railway vehicle 4. For example, the body 30 of the support 20 is fixed on the railway vehicle 4, in particular on a shock absorber 14 of the railway vehicle 4.

[0077] The actuating mechanism 18 is arranged between the support 20 and the coupling 12. In particular, the actuating rod 22 is engaged in the opening 34 of the arm 32, the first connecting member 26 bearing against the arm 32 of the support 20, and the second connecting member 28 being attached to the coupling 12.

[0078] The operating member 24 is turned by the operator in the direction of bringing the coupling 12 closer to the support 20, if necessary, for example at the start of the operation, by manually immobilizing the first connecting member 26 in rotation.

[0079] Due to the rotation of the actuating rod 22 around its extension axis A-A', the first connecting member 26, which is immobilized in rotation, tends to move along the actuating rod 22 towards the second connecting member 28.

[0080] As soon as the first connecting member 26 is in abutment against the support 20, the rotation of the actuating rod 22 causes a movement of the actuating rod 22 relative to the support 20 in the direction of bringing the second connecting member 28 and the first connecting member 26 closer together, and therefore bringing the coupling 12 and the support 20 closer together.

[0081] The force required for the lateral movement of the coupling 12 is exerted by means of the actuating rod 22, being taken up by the support 20 which is fixed to the chassis of the vehicle 4.

[0082] Thus, the force exerted by the operator to rotate the operating member 24 is converted into a lateral displacement force of the coupling 12 exerted between the coupling 12 and the support 20 which is fixed on the chassis of the vehicle 4. The operator does not directly exert a tractive force on the coupling 12.

[0083] Furthermore, the connection between the actuating rod 22 and each of the coupling 12 and the support 20 makes it possible to maintain the coupling 12 in the position reached in the absence of force applied to the operating member 24.

[0084] When the movement of the coupling 12 is no longer necessary, for example, the operator removes the actuating mechanism 18 by detaching the first connecting member 26 from the support 20 and the second connecting member 28 from the coupling 12, and separates the support 20 from the railway vehicle 4.

[0085] The tool 6 can then be stored for possible future use.

[0086] The invention facilitates the manual movement of the coupling 12. It makes it possible to apply a substantial tractive force to the coupling while only requiring a user to apply a moderate force to the operating member 24.

[0087] Furthermore, the invention allows the user to move the coupling 12 without having to go down onto the track. This therefore improves the safety of the user when moving the coupling 12.

[0088] The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above, other exemplary embodiments being conceivable.

[0089] Thus, in an exemplary embodiment, the second connecting member 28 is movable along the actuating rod 22.

[0090] In this case, the second connecting member 28 is for example screwed onto a threaded portion of the actuating rod 22. In such a case, the first connecting member 26 is stationary along the tie rod or movable along the actuating rod 22 as previously provided.

[0091] In the example illustrated, the first connecting member 26 makes it possible to connect the actuating rod 22 to the support 20 in a removable manner. This facilitates the transport of the tool 6 and / or the installation of the tool 6 on the railway vehicle 4. Alternatively, the second connecting member 26 is permanently mounted on the support 20.

Claims

Claims

1. A manually operable tool (6) for moving a coupling (12) of a railway vehicle (4) laterally relative to a chassis of the railway vehicle (4), the tool (6) comprising: - a support (20) configured to be fixed to the chassis of the railway vehicle (4); - an actuating mechanism (18) configured to be arranged between the coupling (12) and the support (20) fixed to the chassis of the railway vehicle (4) so as to act on the coupling (12) and the support (20) to bring them closer to or move them apart from each other; and - an operating member (24) rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation, the rotation of the operating member (24) making it possible to manually drive the actuating mechanism (18) to bring the coupling (12) and the support (20) closer to or move them apart from each other; wherein the actuating mechanism (18) comprises: - an actuating rod (22);- a first connecting member (26) arranged on the actuating rod (22) for connecting the actuating rod (22) to the support (20); and - a second connecting member (28) arranged on the actuating rod (22) for connecting the actuating rod (22) to the coupling (12); the first connecting member (26) and the second connecting member (28) being movable relative to each other along the rod (2) to bring the coupling (12) and the support (20) closer to or further apart from each other, the rotation of the operating member (24) controlling the movement of the first connecting member (26) and the second connecting member (28) relative to each other along the actuating rod (22).;

2. Tool (6) according to claim 1, wherein the first connecting member (26) is movable along the actuating rod (22).

3. The tool (6) of claim 2, wherein the first connecting member (26) is connected to the actuating rod (22) such that rotation of the actuating rod (22) moves the first connecting member (26) along the actuating rod (22).

4. Tool (6) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the second connecting member (28) is fixed along the actuating rod (22).

5. Tool (6) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in which the actuating rod (22) extends along an extension axis (A-A'), the rotation of the operating member (24) around its axis of rotation causing the rotation of the actuating rod (22) around its extension axis (A-A').

6. A tool (6) according to claim 5, wherein the first connecting member (26) and the actuating rod (22) are provided with complementary threads, such that rotation of the actuating rod (22) relative to the first connecting member (26) causes movement of the first connecting member (26) along the actuating rod (22).

7. Tool (6) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in which the first connecting member (26) is configured to bear on the support (20) and the second connecting member (28) is configured to be attached to the hitch (12).

8. An assembly (2) comprising a first railway vehicle (4) and an implement (6) according to any one of the preceding claims, the first railway vehicle (4) comprising a coupling (12) for coupling with a coupling of a second railway vehicle, the implement (6) being manually operable to move the coupling (12) of the first railway vehicle (4) laterally relative to the chassis of the first railway vehicle (4) for coupling with the coupling of the second railway vehicle.

9. An assembly according to claim 8, wherein the first railway vehicle (4) comprises a shock absorber (14), the support (20) being configured to be fixed on the shock absorber (14).

10. A method of using a tool (6) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising the following steps: - fixing the support (20) on the chassis of the railway vehicle (4) and installing the actuating mechanism (18) between the coupling (12) and the support (20); - rotating the operating member (24) to drive the actuating mechanism (18) so as to bring the coupling (12) and the support (20) closer to or further apart from each other.

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