MXPA96004274A - Door structure for a vagon in a train articulate - Google Patents

Abstract

A novel door structure is provided for each end of a railroad in an articulated train. The train includes a plurality of wagons, which are coupled together and spaced a small distance apart. The door structure can be easily opened and closed, even if the wagons on the train are only separated by a small distance. A first embodiment of the novel door structure includes first and second door members, each of which has first and second panels that are interconnected, which are attached to each end of each car. The first panel of each door member is foldable relative to the second panel and the panels are movable to be adjacent to a side wall of the car. The structure is provided to connect the door members to the sides of the wagon and to allow the panels to rotate in relation to the side of the wagon. A second embodiment of the novel door structure includes first and second door members, wherein the first door member is positioned on an upper portion of the end of the car and is movable to a lower portion of the car end to open an upper portion. of the end of the wagon and the second door member is positioned in a lower portion of the wagon end and is movable to an upper portion of the wagon end to open a lower portion of the wagon end.

Description

DOOR STRUCTURE FOR A WAGON IN A ARTICULATED TRAIN BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention is generally related to a new door structure for a wagon in an articulated train. More particularly, the invention contemplates an articulated train having a plurality of closely spaced box or cargo wagons having the new door structure of the present invention attached at each end of each wagon, wherein the structure The door is capable of being opened and closed easily, while the wagons are connected together. When the cargo wagons or box are connected together in an articulated train, the individual wagons are only separated from each other, a distance of approximately 45.72 cm. Conventionally, these wagons have doors on the sides of the wagon and a door at each end of the wagon. Generally, each of the doors is an individual panel, which swings open to the outside, to provide access to the inside of the car. When the wagons are connected together in the train, since the wagons are close together intimately, the door at each end of the wagon can not be swung open as there is insufficient space for the door between the wagons. Therefore, the load must be loaded through the side doors of the car. Loading the load in this way presents a problem for forklift trucks, since the forklift must be driven inside the car and then swing sharply to the right or left to stack the load. The present invention presents a new door structure for the ends of a car in an articulated train, which overcomes the problems presented by the prior art. The new door structure of the present invention has several other advantages and improvements, which will become apparent by reading the attached specification. OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A general object of the present invention is to provide a new door structure for a wagon in an articulated train. It is an object of the present invention to provide an articulated train having a plurality of closely spaced connected load or box rails having the novel door structure of the present invention, attached at each end of each carriage, at that the door structure is able to open and close easily, while the wagons are connected together to allow the load to be loaded at the rear of the train and then be driven through the train.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a door structure for an articulated train, which can be opened or closed, while the wagons in the train are connected together in such a way that the cargo, such as automobiles, trucks or similar or a general load loaded on the forklifts, can be loaded through the last car on the train and driven through the entire train to the front to load the wagons quickly and easily. In summary, and in accordance with the foregoing, the present invention describes a door structure for a wagon in an articulated train. The train has a plurality of intimately separated lanes, which are linked together. The structure of the door requires a minimum amount of space between the wagons, and in this way, it can be easily opened and closed to open and close the end of the wagon, even if the wagons are only separated from each other by a small distance. Each wagon has a front end, a rear end and sides. A floor element and a platform element are provided in the wagon to transport the load therein. The floor element and the platform element have platform plates attached to them, to provide a bridge between the adjacent wagons for this load, such as automobiles and the like, can be operated from the rear end of the train, through the wagons, to the front end of the train. The door structure is provided at each end of each car in the train and includes a first door member and a second door member attached thereto. The door members open to open at least a portion of the end of the car and close to completely close the end of the car. In a first mode of the novel door structure, the first door member and the second door member each have first and second panels. The first panel of each door member is hingedly connected to a second relatively foldable panel. The structure is provided for the connection of door members to the sides of the wagon. Once the panels are completely folded in relation to each other, the panels are movable to be placed adjacent to the sides of the car. The connection structure includes tubes, which are hingedly attached to each second panel at one end thereof and are rigidly connected to a bar at the other end thereof. The bar is connected to the side wall of the car by a plurality of hinges or hinges. To open the door members, the panels are folded in relation to each other and then in relation <; - 'on the tubes. As the tires arrive, they are rotated towards the tubes, the tubes are swung outwardly along the joints until the door structure is positioned adjacent to the side wall of the car. To close the door members, the door structure is moved in the opposite manner. In a second embodiment of the novel door structure, the first door member is positioned in an upper portion of the end of the car and is movable to a lower portion thereof to open an upper portion of the end of the car and the second door member it is located in a lower portion of the end of the car and is movable to an upper portion thereof, to open a lower portion of the end of the car. When the first door member is moved down, the platform inside the car is exposed and when the second door member is moved up, the floor inside the car is exposed. In this embodiment, the door members are connected to the inside of the side walls of the car near the end of the car and are counter balanced against each other. The lower end of the first door member overlaps the upper end of the second door member and a seal is provided between the lower end of the first door member and the upper end of the second door member to seal the end of the car, to avoid the entrance of dirt or moisture inside the car between the door members. In addition, each car has a ladder attached to the interior of each side wall at one end thereof. Due to the construction of the novel door structure, the ladder is available for use when the door members are opened or closed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The organization and form of the structure and operation of the invention, together with other objects and advantages thereof, can be better understood by reference to the following description, taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which numerals' of similar reference identify similar elements, in which: FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of an articulated train, which incorporates the features of the invention; FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a novel door structure, which incorporates the features of the present invention with the door structure in a closed position; FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the door structure shown in FIGURE 2, with one of the door members of the door structure partially open; FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the door structure shown in FIGURE 2, with one of the door members of the door structure fully open to show the interior of the car; FIGURE 5 is a top, partial plan view of the wagon with the door structure in a closed position; FIGURE 6 is a top, partial plan view of the wagon with the door structure in a partially open position; FIGURE 7 is a top, partial plan view of the car with the door structure in a partially open position, but in a position which is more open than that shown in FIGURE 6; FIGURE 7A is a top, partial top view of a structure for securing the panels of the door structure in a folded position shown with the panels separated from each other; FIGURE 7B is a top, partial plan view of a structure for securing the panels of the door structure in a folded position shown with the panels fastened together; FIGURE 8 is a top, partial top view of the wagon with the door structure in a fully open position; FIGURE 9 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a novel door structure, which incorporates the features of the present invention with the door structure in a closed position; FIGURE 10 is a cross-sectional view of the door structure shown in FIGURE 10, with one of the door members of the door structure, open to provide an empty passage between the platform in the adjacent wagons; and FIGURE 11 is a cross-sectional view of the door structure shown in FIGURE 10, with one of the door members of the door structure, open to provide an empty passage between the floors in the adjacent wagons. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE MODALITIES Although the invention may be susceptible to the embodiment in different ways, specific embodiments will be described in the drawings and in the present with the understanding that the present description is to be considered an example of the principles of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to what was illustrated and described herein. The present invention comprises a new or novel door structure 20, 20a that is used in a modular, articulated train such as the train 22 shown in FIGURE 1. The train 22 includes a plurality of individual box or load wagons 24; which are connected together and are separated from each other by a small distance, which, for example, can be about 45.72 cm (eighteen inches) when connected together. The novel door structure 20, 20a of the present invention can be easily opened or closed, while the wagons 24 are connected together, even when the wagons 24 are separated from one another by a very small distance. The wagons 24 on the train 22 can be used to transport automobiles, small trucks or the like or cargo in general. Each wagon 24 can be a freight wagon or a box wagon, or alternatively, each wagon 24 can be a bimodal tug or the like. Each car 24 on the train 22 has a body which is formed from a front end 26, a rear end 28, a floor 30, a pair of vertical side walls 32, which are connected to, and extend upwards from the floor 30 and an upper wall or roof 34, which is connected to the upper ends of the side walls 32 to close the upper end of the car 24 and to form a body structure. The front and rear ends 26, 28 of each wagon 24 in the train 22 have the novel door structure 20, 20a as described herein, attached thereto to completely close the front and rear ends 26, 28 of the wagon 24, when the door structure 20, 20a is closed and for opening the front and rear ends 26, 28 of the car 24 when the door structure 20, 20a is open to provide access within the interior of the car 24 through the ends of the car. wagon 24. The upper wall 34 of each wagon 24, can have three wall members, which are connected together, in such a way that the outer, side wall members are inclined from the side walls to the middle wall, which is horizontal. Alternatively, the upper wall 34 of each car 24 can be flat. A door (not shown) can be provided on the side of the car 24, if desired, such that the car 24 can be loaded in a conventional manner. A ground gear 36, which may have a rail, a flange wheel attached to it, is attached to the underside of the car 24 along its front portion. A conventional railroad bogie 38 is attached to the underside of each car 24 along a rear portion thereof. A coupling mechanism 40 which includes a tongue / adapter / retractable pin combination, which can be made in accordance with the coupling mechanism described in U.S. Patent No. 5,297,858, which is commonly assigned by the assignee of the present and the description of which is incorporated herein by reference, is attached to the front and rear ends 26, 28 of each wagon 24 for joining wagons 24 together. The platform member 42 is provided within each car 24 by which cars, small trucks or the like are loaded. The platform member 42 may be stationary or movable so that it may be placed abutting against the floor 30 and raised to be separated from the floor 30 by a suitable lifting mechanism and then attached to the side walls 32 of the wagon 24, to secure the platform member 42 in place. Such a lifting mechanism and structure for attaching the platform member 42 is described in the copending United States Patent Application Serial No. filed, entitled "Modular Articulated Wagon", which is commonly owned by the assignee hereof and whose description is incorporated herein by reference. A pair of platform plates or bridge plates 44 are attached to each of the floor 30 and the platform member 42 inside the car 24. The platform plates 44 are used to provide a bridge between two adjacent wagons 24, in such a way that an automobile, a small truck, a forklift or the like can be driven from one end of the train 22 through the wagons 24 to the opposite end of the train 22. The platform plates 44 are preferably joined together to the front end of the platform member 42 and to the front end of the floor 30 of the car 24. Alternatively, one platform plate can be provided on the rear end of the front car and the other platform plate can be provided at the front end of the next car . The platform plates 44 can be lifted up, slid, etc., relative to the floor 30 and the platform member 42, to keep the platform plates 44 out of the way when they are not needed. A ladder 46, which is required by law, is attached to the exterior of each side wall 32 proximate each end 26, 28 of each side wall 32. Each ladder 46 has a plurality of spaced apart steps 48. The steps 46 allow a Operator - it slides on each side of the car 24 and has access to the platform member 42 inside the car 24. Each stair 46 is available for use when the door structure 20, 20a is open or closed. A first novel door frame embodiment 20, which incorporates the features of the present invention, is shown in FIGURES 2-8. A second embodiment of the novel door structure 20a, which incorporates the features of the present invention, is shown in FIGURES 9-11. A description of the first embodiment of the door structure 20 is established first and then a description of the second embodiment of the door structure 20a is established. Similar elements in the second embodiment of the door structure 20a that of the first embodiment of the door structure 20 are represented by similar reference numerals with the subsequent suffix "a". Now the attention is directed to the specific questions of the first embodiment of the n door structure 20 shown in FIGURES 2-8 and the structure of the car 24 used with it. The specific questions of the wagon 24 and the first embodiment of the n door structure 20 are described with respect to the front end 26"of one of the wagons 24, with the understanding of qtfS the rear end 28 and the door structure provided in it is identical in construction and function.Each side wall 32 of the car 24 includes a main wall portion 50, which extends along substantially the entire length of the side wall 32 and a slotted wall portion 52, which is proximate to the end 26 of the vacuum 24. The slotted wall portion 52 includes a first wall section 54, which is perpendicular to the main wall portion 50 and a second "wall 56" section, which is parallel to the main wall portion 50. The individual steps 48 of the stair 46 are attached to the exterior of the second wall section 56 of the car 24 and the outermost extension of the steps 48 not they extend to pass the main wall portion 50. As best illustrated in FIGS. 5-8, the end 26 of the car 24 has an average section 51 and outer sections 53. The middle section 51 is perpendicular to the second wall section. 56. The outer sections 53 are inclined outward from the second wall section 56 to the middle section 51. The door structure 20 is formed of a first door member 58 and a second door member 60, each of which It has an inner end and an outer end. The door members 58, 60 are dimensioned to completely c the end 26 of the car 24, when the door members 58, 60 are closed. The outer ends of the door members 58, 60 correspond in shape to the side walls 32 of the car 24. The upper and lower ends of the door members 56, 60 correspond in shape to the floor 30 and the roof 34, respectively, of the car 24. When the door members 58, 60 are in a closed position, the inner ends of the door members 58, 60 make sealing contact with each other.

The outer ends of each of the door members 58, 60, are connected to the respective side wall 32 of the car 24, by a connecting structure, which includes a plurality of horizontally arranged tubes 62, separated, which are formed of a suitable material, such as steel. A first end of each tube 62 is connected to the respective outer end of each door member 58, 60 by a hinge or hinge 64. The second end of each tube 62 is rigidly connected to the vertical bar 66. The tubes 62 are laid flat against the second wall section 56 of the slotted wall portion 52, when the door structure 20 is closed around the end 26 of the car 24. Each tube 62 is placed between the adjacent steps 48 on the stair 46, in such a way that the steps 48 of the ladder 46 are not obstructed by the tubes 62. Since the tubes 62 extend between the steps of the ladder 48, the ladder 46 can be used to climb on the side wall 32 of the car 24 by an operator, when the door structure 20 is closed. The vertical bar 66 is attached to each side wall 32 of the rail 24 by a plurality of hinges 68 spaced along its length, each of which allows the bar 66 to rotate relative to the respective side wall 32 of the car 24 The bar 66 is connected by means of the hinges 68 to the corner between the main wall portion 50 of the side wall 32 and the first wall section 54. The bar 66 is laid flat against the first wall section 54 and has a width, which is equal to the first wall section 54. Alternatively, the bar 66 may be connected to the joint between the first wall section 54 and the second wall section 56 by hinges. Each of the first and second door members 58, 60 have first and second panels 70, 72, which are connected together by a plurality of hinge 74, such that the first panel 70 can be folded in relation to the second panel. 72. The hinges 74 are positioned to divide each door member 58, 60 by approximately half. The second panel 72 of each door member 58, 60 is hingedly connected to the tubes 62 at its outer end by the hinges 64. When the door members 58, 60 are closed, the end 26 of the car 24 is completely closed to preventing entry of dirt and moisture into the interior of the car 24. The second panel 72 of each door member 58, 60 is closed over the outer section 53 of the end 26 of the rail 24 and the first panel 70 of each door member 58 , 60 closes in the middle of the middle section 51 of the end 26 of the car 24. In this way, when the door structure 20 is in the closed position, the panels 70, 72 are inclined in relation to each other. A seal structure, such as a gasket, can be provided along the length of the junction of the door members 58, 60 and between the door members 58, 60, and the end 26 of the car 24. A mechanism of Conventional clamping 82 is provided for locking the door members 50, 52 in the closed position. The ironing mechanism 82 can take the form of an elongated arrow 84 having a handle 86 attached thereto. The upper and lower ends of the arrow 84 are each releasably coupled with a member 88, from which the ends of the arrow 84 can be decoupled as the handle 86 rotates. As shown, the door members 58, 60 are attached to the wagon 24 by a connecting structure described above and by a guiding mechanism 78, which is mounted on the upper wall 34 in the middle of the middle section 51. The guiding mechanism 78 is a track 80, which is attached to the upper wall 34 of the car 24 and which receives an upper portion of each first panel 70 therein as illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 5. A guide mechanism, such as that provided in the upper wall 34 of the car, can provided on the floor 30 of the car 24 in the middle of the middle section 51, to receive a lower portion of each first panel 70 therein.

Now that the construction of the first wagon embodiment 24 and the novel door structure 20 have been described, the method of opening the door structure 20 is described and attention is directed to FIGS. 5-8. The method is described by establishing how the door member 60 is opened with the understanding that the method for opening the door member 58 is the same. The method is carried out manually. The door structure 20 is shown in its closed position in FIGURE 5 and as described in the foregoing. To open the door member 60, first, the locking mechanism 82 is uncoupled in such a manner that the panels 70, 72 can be moved relative to the end 26 of the car 24. Next, as shown in FIGURE 6, the panels 70, 72 are moved outwardly to the upper end of the first panel 70, clearing the track of the guide mechanism 80. As the panels 70, 72 move outwards, the panels 70, 72 fold inwardly in relation to one another. of the other along the hinges 74. Once the upper end of the first panel 70 completely clears the guide track 80, the first and second partially folded panels 70, 72 move outward towards the side wall 32 to clear the end 26 of the car 24 as shown in FIGURE 7.

I1 ' The panels 70, 72 are folded in relation to one another along the hinges 74 until they are completely folded over one another. As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, a clamping mechanism 90 can be provided to hold the panels 70, 72 in the folded position, such that the panels 70, 72 can be easily handled. The clamping mechanism 90 may take the form of a member 92 having a groove 94 therein, which is mounted on the inner side of the first panel 70, which accepts a projection 98 on a member 96, which has a shape which is complementary to the groove 94, which is mounted on the inner side of the second panel 72. When the panels 70, 72 are completely folded in relation to each other, the projection 98 is accepted within the groove 94 and held securely in place. it by a friction adjustment. Other mechanisms for securing the panels 70, 72 in relation to one another are within the scope of the invention. Up to this point in the opening of the door member 60, the tubes 62 do not pivot outwardly from the side wall 32. The tubes 62 can be prevented from swinging or moving outwardly by a deadbolt bolt 100. The dead bolt lock 100 it is connected to the second wall section 56, and extends partially over one of the tubes 62 when engaged. The decoupling of the deadbolt bolt 100, the bolt is retracted from its engagement with the tube to allow the tubes 62 to swing outwardly. Other mechanisms to prevent the tubes 62 from rotating prematurely are within the scope of the invention. After the dead bolt lock 90 has been uncoupled, the tubes 62 are free to pivot outwardly relative to the side wall 32 of the car 24. The folded panels 70, 72 are swung outwards, which causes the tubes 62 swing outwardly relative to the side wall 32. As the tubes 62 swing outward, the bar 66 pivots outward relative to the first wall section 54 by means of the hinges 68. The folded panels 70, 72 are then folded towards the tubes 62 by means of the hinges 74, until the folded panels generally make butt contact against the tubes 62. The folded panels 70, 72 and the tubes 64 are then rotated towards the main wall section 50 of the side wall 32. When the door structure 20 is in its open, end position, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 8, the first and second folded panels 70, 72 approximate the main portion 50 of the side wall 32 and the tubes 62 are adjacent and placed on the first and second folded panels 70, 72. The ladder 46 is completely unloaded by the door structure 20. Since the door members 58, 60 do not pivot substantially outward towards the car 24 on the front (shown in hidden lines) or behind the car 24, when the door structure 20 is being opened, the door structure 20 requires a minimum amount of space to completely open the end 26, 28 of the car 24. Depending on which way the hinge 74, between the first and second panels 70, 72 allows the panels 70, 72 to rotate in relation to each other, the first panel 70 can make butt contact against the tubes 62 or the second panel 72 can make butt contact against the tubes 62. It is contemplated that the panels 70, 72 will not they need to be folded in relation to one another, when the door structure 20 is in the open, final position and for example, the panels 70, 72 may be unfolded in relation to one another. Further, depending on which shape the hinge 74 allows the panels 70, 72 to rotate relative to the tubes 62, the tubes 62 can make butt contact against the main wall section 50 or the panels 70, 72 can make butt contact against the main wall section 50. As shown in FIGURES 2-4, a chain 102 may be attached to the main portion 50 of the side wall 32, which has a hook at its opposite, Free end. The second panel 72 incills a ring 104"it", for coupling with the hook at the end of the chain 102, when the door structure 20 is in its open, final position. Other mechanisms for securing the door structure 20 in its open position are within the scope of the invention. After both door members 70, 72 have been opened, as described above, the ends 26, 28 of the car 24 are fully opened and unlocked by any door structure 20. The platform plates 44 are moved to the position between the two wagons 24 to provide a bridge between the two wagons 24 such that the cargo, such as automobiles, small trucks, a forklift carrying the general cargo or the like, can be easily operated from one end of the train 22, through the line of wagons 24, to the opposite end of the train 22. The load can be loaded either on the platform member 42 or the floor 30, or both at the same time. Therefore, the load can be quickly and easily loaded inside the articulated train 22. To close the door structure 20, the opposite stages are carried out. The tubes 62 and the folded panels 70, 72 are rotated outwardly relative to the main wall section 50 of the side wall 32. The folded panels 70, 72 are then oscillated outward in the lisagram 64 in relation with the tuL >62 and;; e pivot in relation to one another along the hinge 74 until they are folded slightly in relation to one another. Then, the panels 70, 72 are oscillated towards the end 26 of the car, whereby the rotary tubes 62 face the side wall 32 of the car 24. As the first panel 70 slides on the end 26 of the car 24, the upper end of the first panel 70 re-engages with the guide track 80. The panels 70, 72 are moved until the panels 70, 72 are completely closed around the end 26 of the car 24. Now attention is directed to the second embodiment of the novel door structure 20a of the present invention, which is shown in FIGURES 9-11. The specifications of the second embodiment of the novel door structure 20a are described with respect to a front end 26 of one of the wagons 24, with the understanding that the door structure 20a provided at its rear end, is identical in construction and function. As shown in the drawings, in this embodiment, the slotted portion 52 in the first embodiment of the wagon is removed, but may be incorporated into the design, if desired. In addition, the end 26 of the car 24 is flat, but can take a shape similar to that shown in the first embodiment of the car, if desired. The door structure 20a generally takes the form of a vertical guillotine or door and is formed of an upper door member or first vertical door member 58a, and a lower door member or second vertical door member 60a. The sides of the door members 58a, 60a conform in shape to the side walls 32 of the car 24 and are coupled within a track 106 generally U-shaped inside the side walls 32 of the car 24, close to the end 26 of the rail 24. The configuration of the upper end of the upper door member 58a corresponds in shape to the roof configuration 34 of the car 24 and the lower end of the upper door member 58a overlaps the upper end of the lower door member 60a. The configuration of the lower end of the lower door member 60a corresponds in shape to the floor 30 of the car 24. When the door members 58a, 60a are in a closed position, the inner surface of the lower end of the upper door member 58a overlaps and makes butt contact hermetically against the outer surface of the upper end of the lower door member 60a. A gasket 108 or other suitable seal structure is provided at the junction between the upper and lower door members 58a, 60a to prevent entry of dirt or moisture into the interior of the car 24 when the door structure 20a is closed. In addition, the overlap of the upper door member 58a on the lower door member 60a allows the rain that 2 b falls on the car 24 moves to the floor and not inside the car 24. The outer ends of the door members 58a, 60a are coupled within each of the legs of the track 106 generally U-shaped by suitable means , such as rollers or only in contact with the track 106. Each of the door members 58a, 60a have a counterbalanced weight 110, 112 attached thereto by suitable means, such as a cable. The door members 58a, 60a are capable of being slid manually along the length of the track 106 to move the door members 58a, 60a in relation to each other and in relation to the side walls 32 of the car 24. The member of outer door 58a has a clamping mechanism 82a in its lower part and the inner door member 60a has a clamping mechanism 82a in its lower part. The clamping mechanism 82a may take the form of a pin 114 biased by a manually retractable spring "having a handle 116 attached thereto, which is engaged with a retention opening 118 in the side wall 32 of the car 24. The Retaining openings 118 are approximately at the midpoint of the side wall 32, such that when a door member 58a, 60a is positioned in an upper position on the upper part of the end 26 of the car 24, the pin 114 engages within from 2d opening 118 for securing the door member 58a, 60a in the upper position. Bolt 114 is biased into engagement within retaining opening 228 to prevent downward movement of door structure 20a. When the door structure 20a is closed, the upper door member 58a is positioned in the upper portion of the car end 26, such that the upper end of the door member 58a abuts the roof 34. The pin 114 at the lower end of the upper door member 58a is engaged within the retention opening 118 in the side wall 32 of the car 24 to secure the door member 58a in the upper position. The lower door member 60a is positioned in the lower portion of the end 26, such that the lower end of the door member 60a abuts the floor 30. The pin 114 in the lower door member 60a is not engaged inside the retention opening 118, in the side wall 32 of the car 24 and the door member 60a is held in place by gravity. A suitable clamping mechanism can be provided to hold the lower door member 60a in the lower position, if desired. To open the upper portion of the end 26 to expose the platform member 42 within the car 24, the pin 114 is moved out of engagement with the retention opening 118 by pulling the handle 116 inward to compress the spring. Then, the upper door member 58a is slid down to be adjacent to the lower door member 60a, as shown in FIGURE 10. Also, to open the lower portion of the end 26 to expose the floor 30 inside the car 24 , the lower door member 60a is slid vertically upwards, so that it is adjacent the upper door member 58a, as shown in FIGURE 11. Once the lower door member 60a slides all the way up, the pin 114 engages within retaining opening 118 to securely maintain door member 60a in the upper position. The counterbalanced weights 110, 112 are provided for ease of sliding of the door members 58a, 60a. Since the door members 58a, 60a do not pivot outward towards the car 24 in front of or behind the car 24 to which the door members 58a, 60a are attached, the door structure 20a requires a minimum amount of space to open the end 26, 28 of the trailer 24. Once the desired door member 58a60a is open, the platform plates 44 are moved to position between the two wagons 24 to provide a bridge between the two wagons 24 such that the load, such as automobiles, small trucks, a forklift truck carrying the load General or similar, can be easily driven from the rear end of the train, through the line of wagons 24 to the opposite end of the train. Therefore, the load can be quickly and easily loaded on the articulated train. Although the door structure 20a has been described with only a single platform member 42 therein, it is contemplated that more than one platform member may be provided within the carriage 24. The door structure 20a may be easily modified to provide access to the doors. other platform members. For example, the lower door member can cover the end portion of the car, which allows access to the area between the floor and the inner platform, the upper door member can cover the end portion of the car, which allows the access to the area between the roof and the upper platform and a third vertical door member can be provided to cover the end of the car, which would allow access to the area between the upper and lower platforms. Although the embodiments of the present invention were shown and described, it is contemplated that those skilled in the art may contemplate various modifications of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims (13)

1. CLAIMS 1. A wagon for an articulated train having a plurality of wagons, which are connected together and separated from each other by a small distance, the wagon is characterized in that it comprises a body having an interior and an exterior and includes a front end , a rear end and sides and having a door structure including a first door member and a second door member attached to at least one end of the body, the opening door members to open at least a portion of the door. end of the body, the closing door members, for closing the end of the body, the first door member and the second door member each have, first and second panels, the first panels of the door members are collapsible in relation to with the second panels of the door members and which also includes a structure for contacting the door members with the body, the connection structure includes a The first pivot structure proximate the end of the body around which the panels can rotate to open the end of the body, and a second pivot structure around which the panels can rotate to move the panels and the first pivot structure separating it. from the end of the body, to place it adjacent to the end of the sides of the body.
2. 2. The wagon according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes the door structure on both ends of the body. The wagon according to claim 1, characterized in that the second pivot structure comprises tubes attached to each of the second panels in the first pivot structure. The wagon according to claim 3, characterized in that the second pivoting structure further includes a rotating bar connected to each side of the body and to the tubes, in such a way that the rotation of the tubes rotates the rotary bar to move the door members separating them from the end of the car. The wagon according to claim 3, further characterized in that it includes a hinge or hinged structure between each first and second panels of the door members, to allow the first panels to be folded in relation to the second panels. The wagon according to claim 5, characterized in that the body has a floor and a platform therein and that it also includes at least one platform plate attached to the floor and the platform. The wagon according to claim 6, characterized in that the body has a ladder attached to the outside of at least one of the sides of the body, the ladder is free to be used when the door members are opened or when the members of door are closed. The wagon according to claim 7, characterized in that the ladder is generally positioned between the first pivot structure and the second pivot structure. The wagon according to claim 5 further characterized in that it includes the structure for securing the first and second panels together, when the first and second panels are folded in relation to each other. The wagon according to claim 5, characterized in that it further includes a structure for securing the door members to the side of the body, when the door members are in an open position. 11. An articulated train, characterized in that it comprises: a plurality of individual wagons, the wagons are intimately separated from each other and connected together by a coupling structure, each wagon having an interior and an exterior and a front end, a rear end and sides; and a door structure provided on at least one end of each car, the door structure comprises a first door member and a second! r > door member, door members: on moviL >; To an open position to open at least a portion of the end and are movable to a closed position to close the end of each of the wagons, the first door member and the second door member each have, first and second panels, the first panels of the door members are foldable relative to the second panels of the door members and further includes a structure for connecting the door members to the wagon, the connection structure includes a first pivot structure proximate to the end of the car, around which the panels can rotate to open the end of the car and a second pivot structure around which the panels can rotate to move the panels and the first pivot structure separated from the end of the car to be placed adjacent outside the sides of the car. The articulated train according to claim 11, characterized in that the second pivot structure comprises tubes connected to the second panels in the first pivot structure and a rotating bar connected to the sides of the wagons and tubes, in such a manner that the rotation of the tubes rotates the rotary bar to move the door members away from the end of the car. 1
3. 3. The articulated drive train with claim LL, characterized by a ladder «> it is generally positioned between the first pivot structure and the second pivot structure. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A novel door structure is provided for each end of a railroad in an articulated train. The train includes a plurality of wagons, which are coupled together and spaced a small distance apart. The door structure can be opened and closed easily, even when the wagons in the train are only separated by a small distance. A first embodiment of the novel door structure includes first and second door members, each of which have first and second panels that are hingedly connected to each other, which are attached to each end of each car. The first panel of each door member is foldable relative to the second panel and the panels are movable to be adjacent to a side wall of the car. The structure is provided to connect the door members to the sides of the wagon and to allow the panels to rotate in relation to the side of the wagon. A second embodiment of the novel door structure includes first and second door members, wherein the first door member is positioned on an upper portion of the end of the car and is movable to a lower portion of the car end to open a portion. The upper end of the wagon and the second door member is positioned in a lower portion of the wagon end and is movable to an upper portion of the wagon end to open a lower portion of the wagon end.