Double-decker car, railway vehicle, method for dismantling a hatch

Abstract

Double-decker railway car, method for dismantling a hatch. A double-decker railway car comprising an upper deck and a lower deck separated by an intermediate floor. The intermediate floor has a frame defining a passageway opening for a person. The opening is at least partially closed by a hatch (40) movable relative to the frame between a closed position and an open position. The hatch has a hatch body (45) and a locking mechanism (50) actuable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The locking mechanism (50) includes at least one manually operable gripping handle (145) configured to be moved relative to the hatch body and actuate the locking mechanism, and to allow the hatch to be lifted and manipulated. Figure: Figure 5

Description

Title of the invention: Double-decker car, railway vehicle, method for dismantling a hatch

[0001] The present invention relates to a double-decker car, as well as a railway vehicle comprising such a double-decker car and also to a method of dismantling a hatch present in such a double-decker car.

[0002] Generally, in a double-decker car, emergency evacuation of passengers from the upper deck is carried out through a window on that deck, which must first be broken using a hammer designed for this purpose. A rope ladder is then suspended to allow passengers to descend.

[0003] Such an evacuation is sometimes difficult to implement, since breaking the window is an operation that can be complex, there is a risk of injury from glass debris, the installation of the rope ladder can be tedious in an emergency situation, and there is a risk of passengers falling while descending by the rope ladder.

[0004] EP3656628A1 is known to provide a movable hatch on the intermediate floor to facilitate evacuation from the upper floor. However, this hatch requires unlocking with a key stored in a case and then being operated by handles to release an opening in the intermediate floor. The various steps involved in releasing the opening can be cumbersome in an emergency situation and hinder evacuation.

[0005] The invention is notably intended to facilitate the disengagement of the hatch.

[0006] To this end, the invention relates to a double-decker railway car, comprising an upper deck and a lower deck separated by an intermediate floor. The intermediate floor includes a frame defining a passageway for a person. The opening is at least partially closed by a hatch that is movable relative to the frame between a closed position and an open position. The hatch includes a body and a locking mechanism that can be operated between a locked position and an unlocked position. The locking mechanism includes at least one manually operated gripping handle configured to: - be moved relative to the hatch body and activate the locking mechanism, and - to allow the hatch to be lifted and manipulated.

[0007] Thanks to the invention, and in particular thanks to the gripping handle, the hatch is unlocked and moved using a single handle. Thus, the handle The gripping mechanism allows for the rapid release of the emergency exit, simplifying and minimizing the movements required by the passenger to unlock and move the hatch. Furthermore, thanks to this invention, no external parts, such as a key, are needed to unlock the hatch, thus simplifying the unlocking process.

[0008] According to advantageous but not mandatory aspects of the invention, such a double-decker car may incorporate one or more of the following features, taken in any technically permissible combination:

[0009] - in which at least one gripping handle forms a gripping eyelet, the gripping eyelet delimiting an opening allowing at least partial passage of a hand,

[0010] - the hatch includes a housing for receiving the gripping handle,

[0011] - a handle cover covers at least one gripping handle, the The lid is movable relative to at least one gripping handle.

[0012] - the hatch includes a mechanical stop blocking the movement of the mechanism locking relative to the hatch body,

[0013] - the locking mechanism includes a retractable ball loaded by a spring, and the trapdoor body includes a partial receiving housing for the retractable ball in the unlocked position of the locking mechanism to form the mechanical stop,

[0014] - the frame includes a warning strip, the warning strip being fixed on each of the edges defining the opening in the frame,

[0015] - at least one gripping handle is mounted pivotally so as to allow the transition of the locking mechanism from the locked position to the unlocked position.

[0016] The invention also relates to a railway vehicle comprising at least one such double-decker car.

[0017] The invention also relates to a method for dismantling the hatch present in such a double-decker railway vehicle, the method comprising the following steps: - a stage of supplying a double-decker railway vehicle in which the hatch is in the closed position, - a step involving the activation of at least one gripping handle of the locking mechanism, and - a step of moving out of the frame of the hatch, the hatch being manually lifted and manipulated by means of at least one gripping handle.

[0018] The invention will become clearer upon reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the drawings in which:

[0019] - [Fig. 1] Fig. 1 is a partial longitudinal cross-sectional view of a two-seater car floors according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0020] - [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a perspective view of a hatch fitted to the car of the [Fig.l];

[0021] - [Fig.3] The [Fig.3] is an exploded view of the hatch of the [Fig.1];

[0022] - [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a cross-sectional view in plane VI of [Fig.3], the mechanism locking mechanism equipping the hatch of the [Fig.3] when in the locked position; and

[0023] - [Fig.5] The [Fig.5] a view similar to the [Fig.4], the locking mechanism being in the unlocked position.

[0024] A double-decker car 10 of a railway vehicle according to one embodiment is shown in [Fig.1].

[0025] The double-decker car 10 is of generally classic design with the exception of the elements of the invention described below.

[0026] The double-decker car 10 has an upper deck 12 arranged above a lower deck 14.

[0027] The upper floor 12 and the lower floor 14 are separated by an intermediate floor 16, which therefore forms a floor for the upper floor 12 and a ceiling for the lower floor 14.

[0028] The upper floor 12 has upper seats 18 intended to accommodate passengers.

[0029] The lower level 14 has lower seats 20 for passengers. Each lower seat 20 has a backrest 22 and a seat 24.

[0030] The intermediate floor 16 according to the invention comprises a frame 26, visible in [Fig. 2], defining a passageway 28 for a person. This passageway 28 allows the evacuation of passengers from the upper floor 12 to the lower floor 14.

[0031] In the example described, the frame 26 has a length of 884 mm, a width of 731 mm, and a height of 34 mm. The frame 26 also has an edge 30 that is 638 mm wide and 2.5 mm high. It should be noted that the dimensions of the frame 26 are sufficient to allow the passage of people.

[0032] Frame 26 is for example made of aluminium.

[0033] Advantageously, the frame 26 includes a signage strip 35, visible in [Fig.2], so as to allow the frame 26 to be located. The signage strip 35 is fixed on each of the edges 30 delimiting the passage opening 28 on the frame 26.

[0034] The passage opening 28 is closed by a hatch 40, shown in [Fig.2]. The hatch 40 is movable between a closed position in which it rests on the frame 26 and an open position in which it is clear of the passage opening 28.

[0035] As shown in [Fig.3], the hatch 40 comprises a hatch body 45 and two identical locking mechanisms 50, fixed to the hatch body 45 and operable between a locked position and an unlocked position.

[0036] The hatch body 45, for example, has a general rectangular shape that complements the passage opening 28. The hatch body 45 includes a top plate 52 that defines a plane 54. The hatch body 45 also defines two housings 55 for a locking mechanism 50.

[0037] Each locking mechanism 50 includes a base 59 visible in [Fig. 3]. The base 59 is fixedly assembled to the hatch body 45. Thus, the locking mechanism 50 is fixed to the hatch body 45 when the hatch body 45 is moved. Therefore, the hatch 40 can be moved as a single unit.

[0038] Each locking mechanism 50 comprises two rods 60 which extend parallel to the plane 54 in the respective housing 55. A first end of each rod 60 forms a bolt 62 projecting out of the hatch body 45 and adapted to engage in a strike plate, not shown, of the frame 26 when the locking mechanism 50 is in the locked position.

[0039] When the locking mechanism 50 is in the unlocked position, each bolt 62 is retracted into the hatch body 45.

[0040] The rods 60 are guided in translation in the vicinity of their bolt 62 in slides fixed 63 to the base 59. The two rods of the same locking mechanism 50 extend substantially in the same direction in line with each other and with their end bolts opposite.

[0041] Each locking mechanism 50 also includes a bracket 70 which is fixedly assembled to the base 59. The bracket 70 has an inverted U-shape comprising two side walls 75 and a top wall 80. The two side walls 75 are fixedly assembled to the base 59, and the top wall 80 bears against an inner surface 85 of the hatch body 45, as shown in [Fig. 4]. The bracket 70 ensures a minimum distance 90 between the base 59 and the inner surface 85 so as to allow movement of the rods 60 within the housing 55.

[0042] The upper wall 80 is crossed from one side to the other by an opening 95. The opening 95 is delimited by a peripheral shoulder 100.

[0043] Each locking mechanism 50 comprises a cup 105. The cup 105 has a shape of revolution with principal axis XX perpendicular to plane 54. The cup 105 has a projecting outer peripheral edge 106 which rests on the shoulder 100. The cup 105 is in contact with the inner surface 85.

[0044] The cup 105 internally defines a circular receiving housing 125 centered on the axis XX.

[0045] Each locking mechanism 50 comprises a finger 135. The finger 135 passes completely through the cup 105 parallel to the axis XX. The finger 135 is fixedly assembled to the cup 105. The finger 135 and the cup 105 are rotatable relative to the support 70 and the hatch body 45 about the axis XX. The complementary shape of the cup 105 and the opening 95 guides the rotation of the finger 135 and the cup 105 relative to the support 70 about the axis XX.

[0046] Each locking mechanism 50 includes a connecting rod 140 fixedly assembled to the finger 135 and rotationally fixed with the finger 135 relative to the hatch body 45. The connecting rod has an ovoid shape centered on the axis XX.

[0047] The rods 60 include a second end 142 articulated to the connecting rod 140 at two diametrically opposite points so that the rotation of the connecting rod 140 causes a displacement of the rods 53 perpendicular to the axis of rotation XX.

[0048] Each locking mechanism 50 also includes a manually operable gripping handle 145. Each gripping handle 145 is capable of actuating a respective locking mechanism 50.

[0049] Advantageously each gripping handle 145 forms a gripping eyelet, for example in the shape of a semicircle with a straight section 146 whose two ends are connected by a semi-circular arch 147.

[0050] Advantageously, the gripping eyelet 145 defines an opening for at least a partial passage of a hand, visible in [Fig. 5]. The opening in the gripping eyelet 145 is suitable for receiving at least a part of a passenger's hand, in particular the passenger's fingers, so that the passenger can wrap their fingers around the gripping eyelet 145 and grasp it.

[0051] The gripping eyelet 145 is fixed in rotation around the axis of rotation XX relative to the hatch body 45 with the finger 135. The gripping eyelet 145 is also articulated relative to the finger 135 around its straight section 146 defining a secondary axis of rotation YY perpendicular to the main axis of rotation XX between a folded position and a raised position.

[0052] When the gripping eyelet 145 is in the folded position, it is advantageously received in the receiving housing 125 of the cup 105 and when the gripping eyelet 145 is in the raised position, the gripping eyelet 145 protrudes from the upper plate 52 of the hatch body 45 as illustrated in [Fig.5].

[0053] Advantageously, a removable handle cover 155, visible in [Fig. 4], covers each of the handles respectively when the gripping eyelet 145 is received in the receiving housing 125. More precisely, each handle cover 155 covers the respective receiving housing 125 when the hatch 40 is in the closed position. Each handle cover 155 is movable relative to the gripping handle 145 to allow access to the gripping handle 145.

[0054] Advantageously, the hatch 40 includes, for each locking mechanism 50, a mechanical locking stop 160 blocking the movement of the locking mechanism 50 relative to the hatch body 45.

[0055] Each of the locking mechanisms 50 has in the cup 105 a hole 165 opening opposite the inner surface 85 parallel to the axis XX.

[0056] A retractable ball 170 and a compression spring 175 are housed in the bore 165 of the cup 105 such that a first end 180 of the compression spring 175 bears against a bottom of the bore 165. The retractable ball 170 bears against a second end of the compression spring 175. The compression spring 175 pushes the retractable ball 170 parallel to the axis of rotation XX against the inner surface 85 of the hatch body 45 when the locking mechanism 50 is in the locked position as seen in [Fig.4].

[0057] Advantageously, the hatch body 45 includes two housings 190, each housing 190 being able to receive the retractable ball 170, in the unlocked position, so as to form the mechanical stop 160 for each mechanism 50.

[0058] A method for dismantling the hatch 26 as previously described will now be presented.

[0059] In a first stage, a double-decker car 10 is provided with a hatch 40 in the position of closing the passage opening 28. In the first stage, the locking mechanism 50 is in the locked position.

[0060] During the first step, as shown in [Fig. 4], the gripping eyelets 145 are in the folded-down position so that they do not obstruct passenger traffic when the hatch is closed. The handle covers 155 cover each of the receiving recesses 125 so that the intermediate floor 16 does not have any recesses that could impede passenger traffic when the hatch 40 is closed.

[0061] In a second step, the covers 155 are removed from the housings 125 and a passenger at least partially inserts a hand into each opening for the gripping eyelets 145, grasps the gripping eyelets 145 and raises the eyelets to the raised position. In the second step, the passenger then actuates the locking mechanisms 50 from their locked position to their unlocked position by rotating the gripping handles 145 around the axes of rotation XX. The rotation of the gripping handles 145 causes the rotation of the cup 105 and the connecting rod 140 which causes the movement of the rods 60 which are retracted from the hatch body 45.

[0062] Advantageously, the gripping handles 145 are rotated through an angle of 180° so that each locking mechanism 50 moves from the locked position to the unlocked position.

[0063] Advantageously, for each locking mechanism 50, when the locking mechanism 50 is in the unlocked position as shown in [Fig. 5], the cup 105 has pivoted so that the bore 165 and the housing 190 are aligned along an axis parallel to the axis of rotation XX. The retractable ball 170 then enters the housing 190 of the hatch body 45 under the effect of the compression spring 175. Thus, the retractable ball 170 forms a mechanical stop 160 blocking the movement of the gripping handle 145 relative to the hatch body 45.

[0064] In a third step, the hatch 40 is moved out of the frame 26. In the third step, the hatch 40 is lifted and manipulated by the gripping handles 145 so as to move the hatch 40 from its closing position to its opening position.

[0065] Thus, the gripping handles 145 allow the locking mechanisms 50 and the movement of the hatch 40 to be operated. Unlocking the hatch 40 is therefore simple, quick, secure, and does not require any additional part external to the hatch 40, such as a key. Thus, unlocking and handling the hatch 40 are simplified by the gripping handles 145.

[0066] The locking of the gripping handle 145 in position by the mechanical stop 160, when the locking mechanism is in the unlocked position, improves the handling of the hatch 40 using the gripping handle 145.

[0067] The gripping handle 145 is unlocked by applying pressure against the retractable ball 170 so as to remove the retractable ball 170 from the partial receiving housing 190 of the hatch body 45 and to insert the retractable ball 170 into the bore 165 of the cup 105.

Claims

Demands

1. A double-decker railway car (10), comprising an upper deck (12) and a lower deck (14) separated by an intermediate floor (16), the intermediate floor (16) having a frame (26) defining a passage opening (28) for a person, the opening (28) being closed at least in part by a hatch (40) movable relative to the frame (26) between a closed position and an open position and having a hatch body (45) and a locking mechanism (50) actuable between a locked position and an unlocked position, characterized in that the locking mechanism (50) includes at least one manually manipulable gripping handle (145) configured to: - be moved relative to the hatch body (45) and actuate the locking mechanism (50), and - allow the lifting and manipulation of the hatch (40).

2. Double-decker car (10) according to claim 1, wherein at least one gripping handle (145) forms a gripping eyelet, the gripping eyelet (145) delimiting a gripping opening for at least partial passage of a hand.

3. Double-decker car (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hatch (40) includes a receiving housing (125) for the gripping handle (145).

4. Double-decker car (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a handle cover (155) covers at least one gripping handle (145), the cover (155) being movable relative to at least one gripping handle (145).

5. Double-decker car (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hatch (40) includes a mechanical stop (160) blocking the movement of the locking mechanism (50) relative to the hatch body (45).

6. A double-decker car (10) according to claim 5, wherein: - the locking mechanism (50) comprises a retractable ball (170) loaded by a spring (175), and - the hatch body (45) includes a housing (190) for partial reception of the retractable ball (170) in the unlocking position of the locking mechanism (50) to form the mechanical stop.

7. Double-decker car (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the frame (26) includes a signaling strip (35), the signaling strip (35) being fixed on each of the edges (30) delimiting the passage opening (28) on the frame (26).

8. Double-decker car (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one grab handle (145) is pivotally mounted to permit the locking mechanism (50) to pass from the locked position to the unlocked position.

9. Rail vehicle comprising at least one double-decker car (10) according to any one of the preceding claims.

10. A method for dismantling the hatch (40) present in a double-decker car (10) of a railway vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 8, the method comprising the following steps: - a step of supplying a double-decker car (10) of a railway vehicle in which the hatch (40) is in the closed position, - a step of moving at least one gripping handle (145) of the locking mechanism (50), and - a step of moving the hatch (40) out of the frame (26), the hatch being manually lifted and manipulated by means of at least one gripping handle (145).

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