Railway coach for passengers with improved comfort

Abstract

The railway coach (12) comprises a coach body (18) having sidewalls (20) provided with windows (24), the railway coach (12) comprising a louver system (40) comprising one or several louvers (42) and, for each louver (42), an attachment device (44) for removable attachment of the louver (42) to one of the sidewalls (20) of the coach body (18), on the outside of said sidewall (20) and preferably in front of one of the windows (24) of said sidewall (20).

Description

[0001] Railway coach for passengers with improved comfort

[0002] The present invention relates to the technical field of railway coaches and in particular to the protection against solar radiations.

[0003] In a railway coach, such as a railway coach of a tramway, the solar radiation entering the railway coach via windows of the railway coach can cause discomfort for the passengers, in particular the passenger sitting or standing beside said windows, even though the railway coach is provided an air conditioning system.

[0004] To limit the effect of solar radiations through the windows of the railway coach, it is possible to provide the windows with a filter layer configured for reflecting solar radiations.

[0005] One of the aims of the invention is to propose a railway coach with an improved comfort, in particular with an improved protection against solar radiations.

[0006] To the end, the invention proposes a railway coach comprising a coach body having sidewalls provided with windows, the railway coach comprising a louver system comprising one or several louvers and, for each louver, an attachment device for removable attachment of the louver to one of the sidewalls of the coach body, on the outside of said sidewall and preferably in front of one of the windows of said sidewall.

[0007] The provision of louvers attached on the outside of the sidewalls of the railway coach is very efficient to prevent excessive direct solar radiations from entering via the windows and causing thermal discomfort to the user.

[0008] Still, the louvers allow light to enter the railway coach via the windows. This is beneficial for the comfort of the passengers, in particular the visual comfort of the passengers.

[0009] The attachment system allows to remove the louvers easily, preferably without the need of any tool, e.g. for maintenance operations, for example for washing the railway coach, including the windows of the railway coach.

[0010] In some examples, the railway coach comprises one or several of the following features, taken individually or according to any technically feasible combination:

[0011] - the attachment device comprises a hooking device for hanging the louver to the sidewall;

[0012] - the hooking device comprises one or several hook assemblies, each hook assembly comprising a hooking element and a hook configured for hooking on the hooking element, one of the hooking element and the hook being provided being provided on the sidewall, the other being provided on the louver; - the hooking element is provided on the sidewall and the hook is provided on the louver;

[0013] - the attachment device comprises a preloading device for urging each hook into engagement with the corresponding hooking member;

[0014] - the preloading device comprises at least one spring configured for pushing the louver downwardly relative to the sidewall onto which the louver is attached;

[0015] - the attachment device comprises a locking device having at least one locking assembly configured for locking the louver to the sidewall once the louver is attached to the sidewall;

[0016] - each locking assembly comprises a locking orifice and a locking member configured for engaging in the locking orifice for locking the louver in place;

[0017] - one of the locking orifice and the locking member is provided on the sidewall, the other being provided on the louver;

[0018] - the locking orifice is provided on the sidewall and the locking member is provided on the louver;

[0019] - each louver comprises two side members extending parallel to each other and blades extending transversely between the two side members with defining slits between them;

[0020] - the attachment device is configured for attaching each louver to the sidewall via the side members of the louver;

[0021] - the attachment device is configured for attaching each louver to the sidewall via mounting post is provided on the sidewall;

[0022] - the railway coach comprises fixed windows, openable windows and / or door windows.

[0023] The invention also relates to a tramway comprising a railway coach as defined above.

[0024] The invention and its advantages will be better understood upon reading the following description which is given solely by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the appendix drawings, in which:

[0025] - Figure 1 is a side view of a railway vehicle, in particular a tramway, comprising railway coaches provided with louvers removably attached thereto;

[0026] - Figure 2 is a front view of a louver and the associated attachment device;

[0027] - Figure 3 is a section view of the louver of Figure 2 taken along line Ill-Ill on Figure 2 and illustrating the attachment device;

[0028] - Figure 4 is a schematic view of a preloading device of the attachment device. As illustrated on Figure 1 , a railway vehicle 10 comprises one railway coach 12 or several railway coaches 12 attached together in line. Each railway coach 12 is configured for the transport of passengers.

[0029] The railway vehicle 10 is configured to move along a railway R. The railway vehicle 10 comprises bogies 14 distributed under the railway coaches 12 for supporting the railway coaches 12 and guiding them along the railway R. Each bogie 14 is a motorized for driving the railway vehicle 10 along the railway R or not motorized. At least one bogie 14 is motorized.

[0030] In the following the terms “longitudinal”, “transversal”, “horizontal”, “vertical”, “upper”, “lower”, “above” and “below” refer to the usual orthogonal coordinate system of railway vehicles comprising a longitudinal axis X extending horizontally in the front-rear moving direction of the railway coach, a transverse axis Y extending horizontally from the right to the left of the railway vehicle and a vertical axis Z.

[0031] The railway vehicle 10 comprises for example two end railway coaches 12 and one or several intermediate railway coaches 12 each located between the two end railway coaches 12.

[0032] The railway coaches 12 are preferably connected via gangway 16. Each gangway 16 connecting a railway coach 12 to the another adjacent railway coach 12 is configured for allowing passengers to walk from said railway coach 12 to said other railway coach 12 via the gangway 16.

[0033] The railway coaches 12 include for example self-supported railway coaches 12 provided with bogies 14 and one or several suspended railway coaches 12, each suspended railway coach 12 being suspended between two self-supported railway coaches 12.

[0034] As illustrated on Figure 1 , the railway vehicle 10 comprises for example three railway coaches 12 including two self-supported end railway coaches 12 and one intermediate railway coach 12 suspended between the two self-supported end railway coaches 12. Each end railway coach 12 is provided with a bogie 14, preferably a motorized bogie 14.

[0035] Each railway coach 12 comprises a coach body 18 comprising sidewalls 20 delimiting a passenger compartment 22. The sidewalls 20 are provided with windows 24, each window 24 being a fixed window 24, an openable window 24 or a door window 24, i.e. a window provided in an access door 26. Each access door 26 is openable to allow passengers to step in the passenger compartment 22 or step out of the passenger compartment 22.

[0036] Each passenger compartment 22 is furnished to receive passengers, for example furnished with seats and / or grab elements (not shown), such as grab bars or grab handles. Optionally, at least one railway coach 12 is provided with a passenger platform 28.

[0037] Each passenger platform 28 is permanently open to the outside of the railway coach 12, at least in an operating configuration for the transport of passengers. Each passenger platform 28 comprises a free opening 30. The free opening 30 is free of any window or door configured for closing the free opening 30. The free opening 30 creates a permanent opening between the outside and in the inside of the railway coach 12.

[0038] The passenger platform 28 is for example located at a longitudinal end 32 of an end railway coach 12. The free opening 30 opens for example at the longitudinal end 32 of the coach body 12 in the direction of the longitudinal axis X with optionally extending on a portion of length of the sidewalls 20 of the railway coach 12.

[0039] Each passenger platform 28 is furnished to receive passengers, for example furnished with seats and / or grab elements (not shown), such as grab bars or grab handles.

[0040] Optionally, at least one railway coach 12 is provided with a windscreen 34. The railway coach 12 provided with a windscreen 34 is preferably an end railway coach 12.

[0041] As illustrated on Figure 1 , in some examples, the railway vehicle 10 comprises a first end railway coach 12 provided with a windscreen 34 and second end railway coach 12 provided with a passenger platform 28, the first end railway coach 12 and the second end railway coach 12 being at opposite ends of the railway vehicle 10.

[0042] At least one of the railway coaches 12 of the railway vehicle 10, and preferably each railway coach 12 of the railway vehicle 10, is provided with a louver system 40.

[0043] Each louver system 40 comprises one or several louvers 42 and, for each louver 42, an attachment device 44 for removable attachment of the louver 42 to one of the sidewalls 20 of the coach body 18, on the outside of said sidewall 20 and preferably in front of one of the windows 24 of said sidewall 20.

[0044] As illustrated on Figure 1 , the louvers 42 are configured to partially obstruct at least the upper portion of the windows 24. This allows blocking the solar radiations which propagate downwardly, especially during the sunnier hours of the day during which sun is at its highest position in the sky. The louvers 42 provided on each sidewall 20 may have equal lengths or different lengths.

[0045] The louvers 42 and their associated attachment device 44 are similar. Only one louver 42 and the associated attachment device 44 will be described in the following with reference to Figures 2 - 4.

[0046] As illustrated on Figure 2 and 3, the louver 42 comprises two side members 46 extending parallel to each other and blades 48 extending transversely between the two side members 46, the blades 48 being spaced from each other along the two sides members 46 such as to define slits 50 between the blades 48. Each louver 42 is configured to be hanged on a sidewall 20. The two side members 46 have upper ends 46A and lower ends 46B. When the louver 42 is hung on the sidewalls 20, the two side members 46 extend for example vertically and the blades 48 extend horizontally.

[0047] The attachment device 44 comprises a hooking device 52 for suspending the louver 42 to the sidewall 20.

[0048] The hooking device 52 comprises one or several hook assemblies 54, each hook assembly 54 comprising a hooking element 56 and a hook 58 configured for hooking on the hooking element 56 such that the louver 42 is suspended to the sidewall 20, one of the hooking element 56 and the hook 58 being provided being provided on the sidewall 20, the other being provided on the louver 42.

[0049] In some examples, as illustrated on Figures 2 and 3, the hooking element 56 is provided on the sidewall 20 and the hook 58 is provided on the louver 42. In a variant, the hooking element 56 is provided on the louver 42 and the hook 58 is provided on the sidewall 20.

[0050] Each hooking element 56 is for example formed as a pin.

[0051] Each hook 58 is for example formed as a slot for receiving the hooking element 56.

[0052] Each hook 58 is preferably configured such that gravity acting on the louver 42 tends to move the hooking element 56 into further engagement with the hook 58.

[0053] In particular, the hooking element 56 and the hook 58 being formed as a pin and a slot, the hook 58 is configured such that gravity acting on the louver 42 tends to move the pin forming the hook element 56 into further engagement in the slot forming the hook 58.

[0054] The hooking device 52 comprises for example two hooking assemblies 54, each for hooking a respective one of the side member 46 of the louver 42 to the sidewall 20.

[0055] The hooking device 52 is for example configured that each hooking assembly 54 is disengaged by moving the bottom portion of the louver 42 away from the sidewall 20 whilst the upper portion of the louver 42 remains attached to the sidewall via the hooking device 42, and then raising the upper portion of the louver 42 to disengage the hooking element 56 of each hooking assembly 54 for the hook 58 of said hooking assembly 54.

[0056] The hook 58 is in particular designed as a slot having a bottom 58A and an inlet 58B, pivoting the bottom portion of the louver 42 from the sidewall 20 moving the hooking element 56 from the bottom 58A to the inlet 58B such that the hooking element 56 can then be disengaged by moving the louver 42 upwardly.

[0057] Optionally, the attachment device 44 comprises a locking device 60 comprising one or several locking assemblies 62 configured for locking the louver 42 to the sidewall 20 once the louver is attached to the sidewall 20 with the hooking device 52. Each locking assembly 62 comprises for example a locking orifice 64 and a locking member 66 configured for engaging in the locking orifice 64 for locking the louver 42 in place.

[0058] Each locking assembly 62 is for example configured for preventing the lower portion of the louver from moving away from the sidewall 20 and / or upwardly such as to prevent disengagement of the hooking element 56 of each hooking assembly 54 from the hook 58 of said hooking assembly 54.

[0059] Each locking assembly 62 is for example located at a bottom end of a side member 46 of the louver 42. The attachment device 44 comprises for example two locking assemblies 62, each arranged to lock the lower end 46B of a respective side member 46 to the sidewall 20.

[0060] The locking member 66 is for example movable (arrow L) and operable manually to engage into the corresponding locking orifice 64 or urged by a spring (not shown) to snap into the corresponding locking orifice 64 upon hanging the louver 42 to the sidewall 20.

[0061] The locking member 66 is for example operable manually or with a tool to disengage from the corresponding locking orifice 64, with acting against the spring (not shown) when such a spring is provided.

[0062] One of the locking orifice 64 and the locking member 66 is provided on the sidewall 20, the other being provided on the louver 42. In some examples, as illustrated on Figure 2 and 3, the locking orifice 64 is provided on the sidewall 20 and the locking member 66 is provided on the louver 42. In other examples, the locking orifice 64 is provided on the louver 42 and the locking member 66 is provided on the sidewall 20.

[0063] The attachment device 44 is configured for attaching each louver 42 to the sidewall 20 via the side members 46 of the louver 42.

[0064] Each hooking assembly 54 is configured for hooking a side member 46, in particular the upper end 46A of the side member 46 and / or each locking assembly 62 is configured for locking a side member 46, in particular the lower end 46B of the side member 46.

[0065] Preferably, the attachment device 44 comprises one respective hooking assembly 54 for hooking each side member 46, in particular the upper end 46A of each side member 46 and / or one respective locking assembly 62 for locking each side member 46, in particular the lower end 46B of each side member 46.

[0066] Advantageously, the sidewall 20 is provided with two mounting posts 70, the attachment device 44 being configured for attaching the louver 42 between the two mounting posts 70.

[0067] Each hooking assembly 54 is provided on the louver 42 and a mounting post 70, in particular on a side member 46 of the louver 42 and a mounting post 70. In some example, the hooking element 56 of each hooking assembly 54 is provided on the mounting post 70, the hook 58 being provided on the side member 46 of the louver 42.

[0068] Each locking assembly 62 is provided on the louver 42 and a mounting post 70, in particular on a side member 46 of the louver 42 and a mounting post 70. In some example, the locking orifice 64 of each locking assembly 62 is provided on the mounting post 70, the locking member 66 being provided on the side member 46 of the louver 42.

[0069] As illustrated on Figure 4, optionally, the attachment device 44 comprises a preloading device 72 for urging each hook 58 into engagement with the corresponding hooking member 56.

[0070] In some examples, the preloading device 72 comprises at least one spring 74 configured for pushing the louver 42 downwardly relative to the sidewall 20 onto which the louver 42 is attached.

[0071] The preloading device 72 is for example configured to act between the louver 42 and a mounting post 70, in particular between a side member 46 of the louver 42 and a mounting post 70.

[0072] The preloading device 72 prevents undesired detachment of the louver 42 and / or undesired movement or vibration of the louver 42 during displacement of the railway coach 12 along the railway R.

[0073] The railway coach 12 has an operational configuration (or passenger transport configuration) in which the louvers 42 are attached to the railway coach 12 to limit direction solar radiations through the windows 24 of the sidewalls 20. Each louver 42 is removably attached via an attachment device 44, in particular with being hung via at least one hooking assembly 54 and optionally preloaded by a preloading device 72 and / or locked via at least one locking assembly 62.

[0074] In view of maintenance operations, in particular in view of washing the railway coach 12, the louvers 42 are removed from the sidewalls 20. To this end, if provided, each locking assembly 54 is unlocked manually and / or with a tool and the louver 42 is detached by disengaging the hooking assembly 54. The louvers 42 can be put away during washing of the railway coach 12.

[0075] The louvers 42 provided on the outside of the sidewalls 20 in front of the windows 24 efficiently protect from direction solar radiations through the windows 24 and increase the comfort for the passengers, whilst still allowing passengers to see outside through the windows 24 and natural light to enter in the passenger compartment 22.

[0076] The louvers 42 can be attached to and detached from the sidewalls 20 of the railway coach 12 easily for switching between operational configuration and maintenance configuration. In particular, the hooking device 52 allows a simple attachment, the locking device 60 prevents undesired detachment and the preloading device 72 prevents vibrations and undesired detachment.

Claims

AMENDED CLAIMS received by the International Bureau on 03 January 2025 (03.01.2025)1.- Railway coach (12) comprising a coach body (18) having sidewalls (20) provided with windows (24), the railway coach (12) comprising a louver system (40) comprising one or several louvers (42) and, for each louver (42), an attachment device (44) for removable attachment of the louver (42) to one of the sidewalls (20) of the coach body (18), on the outside of said sidewall (20) and preferably in front of one of the windows (24) of said sidewall (20), wherein the attachment device (44) comprises a hooking device (52) for hanging the louver (42) to the sidewall (20), the hooking device (52) comprising one or several hook assemblies (54), each hook assembly (54) comprising a hooking element (56) and a hook (58) configured for hooking on the hooking element (56), one of the hooking element (56) and the hook (58) being provided on the sidewall (20), the other being provided on the louver (42), and wherein the attachment device (44) comprises a preloading device (72) for urging each hook (58) into engagement with the corresponding hooking member (56).2.- Railway coach (12) as in claim 1, wherein the hooking element (56) is provided on the sidewall (20) and the hook (58) is provided on the louver (42).3.- Railway coach (12) as in claim 5, wherein the preloading device (72) comprises at least one spring (74) configured for pushing the louver (42) downwardly relative to the sidewall (20) onto which the louver (42) is attached.4.- Railway coach (12) as in one of the preceding claims, wherein the attachment device (44) comprises a locking device (60) having at least one locking assembly (62) configured for locking the louver (42) to the sidewall (20) once the louver (42) is attached to the sidewall (20).5.- Railway coach (12) as in claim 4, wherein each locking assembly (62) comprises a locking orifice (64) and a locking member (66) configured for engaging in the locking orifice (64) for locking the louver (42) in place.6.- Railway coach (12) as in claim 5, wherein one of the locking orifice (64) and the locking member (66) is provided on the sidewall (20), the other being provided on the louver (42).AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19)7.- Railway coach (12) as in claim 5 or 6, wherein the locking orifice (64) is provided on the sidewall (20) and the locking member (66) is provided on the louver (42).8.- Railway coach (12) as is any one of the preceding claims, wherein each louver (42) comprises two side members (46) extending parallel to each other and blades (48) extending transversely between the two side members (46) with defining slits (50) between them.9.- Railway coach (12) as is claim 8, wherein the attachment device (44) is configured for attaching each louver (42) to the sidewall (20) via the side members (46) of the louver (42).10.- Railway coach (12) as is in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the attachment device (44) is configured for attaching each louver (42) to the sidewall (20) via mounting posts (70) provided on the sidewall (20).11.- Railway coach (12) as in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the railway coach comprises fixed windows, openable windows and / or door windows.12.- Tramway comprising a railway coach (12) as in any one of claims 1 to 11.AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19)

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