Gap filler having a reduced bulk
The gap filling device includes a movable ramp that is movable in a horizontal direction between a retracted position within a housing arranged under a floor of the rail vehicle, and a deployed position extending out of the housing. The ramp further has an upper surface that is accessible in the deployed position. The ramp includes lateral flanged edges extending over at least a portion of the length of the ramp, with each being movable between a first position, in which this lateral flanged edge extends vertically projecting outwards in relation to the upper surface of the ramp up to a first height, and a second position, in which the lateral flanged edge extends up to a second height that is lower than the first height.
1. A gap filling device designed to be fitted on to a rail vehicle, the gap filling device comprising:
a movable ramp that is movable in a horizontal direction between a retracted position within a housing arranged under a floor of the rail vehicle, and a deployed position extending out of the housing over a length, the movable ramp comprising:
an upper surface that is accessible in the deployed position, and
lateral flanged edges extending over at least a portion of the length of the movable ramp, with each being movable between a first position, in which this lateral flanged edge extends vertically projecting outwards in relation to the upper surface of the movable ramp up to a first height, and a second position, in which the lateral flanged edge extends up to a second height that is lower than the first height, and
a movable hatch, formed by a unique plain element extending from a top end connected to the rail vehicle by a pivot link arranged above the housing, to a bottom end that is free, the movable hatch being movable between a closed position and an open position, such that:
the movable hatch is in the closed position for closing off the housing when the movable ramp is in retracted position, and, in the closed position, the bottom end is under the housing, and
in the open position, the movable hatch extends between the floor and the movable ramp in the deployed position, and the bottom end rests on the upper surface of the ramp.
2. The gap filling device according to claim 1 , in which each of the lateral flanged edges are connected to the movable ramp by a pivot link defined about a pivot axis that is parallel to the horizontal direction.
3. The gap filling device according to claim 2 , in which each of the lateral flanged edges are extended by a lever-forming portion which is integrally attached to the lateral flanged edge, the gap filling device comprising a pivoting member pivoting the lateral flanged edge about the pivot link.
4. The gap filling device according to claim 3 , in which the pivoting member comprises:
a movable rod that is movable in translational motion in a direction forming a non-zero angle with the pivot axis, which cooperates with the lever-forming portion, and
a rod moving element moving the movable rod, the rod moving element comprising a cylinder having a piston.
5. The gap filling device according to claim 4 , in which the rod moving element is common to all the movable rods, and comprises an eccentric cam, connected on the one hand to the piston of the cylinder and on the other hand to each movable rod, in order to convert a movement of the piston into a movement of each movable rod.
6. The gap filling device according to claim 3 , in which each of the lateral flanged edges are connected to the respective lever-forming portion by forming an angle, in such a manner that the lateral flanged edge linked to the lever-forming portion together present a transverse cross section of L-shaped form, with the pivot link being arranged in the proximity of the intersection between the lateral flanged edge and the lever-forming portion.
7. The gap filling device according to claim 3 , in which each of the lateral flanged edges and the corresponding lever-forming portion are substantially coplanar, such that they serve as the extensions to one another,
wherein the pivot link being arranged between the flanged edge and the lever-forming portion.
8. The gap filling device according to claim 1 , in which the movable hatch in the open position rests on the upper surface of the movable ramp, with each of the lateral flanged edges extending, in the horizontal direction, from the movable hatch to a free end of the movable ramp.
9. The gap filling device according to claim 1 , in which the height of each of the lateral flanged edges are comprised between 0 cm and 6 cm.
10. The gap filling device according to claim 1 , in which the upper surface of the movable ramp is inclined at least in part.
11. The gap filling device according to claim 1 , wherein the movable hatch is free to rotate about the pivot link, so that when the ramp is deployed from its retracted position to its deployed position, this ramp comes to cooperate with the movable hatch and pushes it from its closed position to its open position.
12. The gap filling device according to claim 1 , wherein the movable hatch is motorized, and its movement is controlled simultaneously with the movement of the ramp, or on a staggered basis.
13. The gap filling device according to claim 1 , wherein the movable hatch includes, at its bottom end, a holding member for holding it in the closed position.
14. The gap filing device according to claim 13 , wherein the holding member is formed by an elastic member.
15. The gap filing device according to claim 13 , wherein the holding member is formed by an electromagnet.