Fluid-stabilized car vestibule

Claim 2

A stabilized intercar platform for monorail trains and the like wherein independently suspended cars are coupled end to end in opposed spaced relation, and including, a carriage pivotally supported at the floor level of each car, a retractile deck extensibly supported by each carriage and said decks being interengageably coupled to serve as a continuous platform, and control means comprised of a pair of opposed bungees extended between opposite parts of each carriage and the car supporting the same, and each of said means with a rate of movement control damping pivotal movement of the carriage relative to the car, and each with extension means incorporated therein to oVerride said rate of movement control and engaging a stop to stiffen the carriages relative to the cars and preventing undue movement thereof.

Claim 3

The stabilized intercar platform for spaced and opposed independently suspended cars as set forth in claim 1, wherein the said bungees are normally charged with an accumulated low pressure supply of fluid thereto, and with a rate of movement control comprising a fluid transfer line operably extending between and having fluid restriction to each of said bungees.

Claim 4

The stabilized intercar platform for spaced and opposed independently suspended cars as set forth in claim 1, wherein the said bungees are normally charged with an accumulated low-pressure supply of fluid thereto, and with a rate of movement control comprising a restricted flow line extending therebetween, and wherein the extension means of the said bungees are charged with a high-pressure supply of fluid thereto and forcible to extended platform stabilizing positions, thereby stiffening the platform relative to the cars and preventing undue movement thereof.

Claim 5

The stabilized intercar platform for spaced and opposed independently suspended cars as set forth in claim 1, wherein the said bungees each comprise an inner cylinder and piston unit and an outer cylinder and ram unit, the said first mentioned inner cylinder and the said ram being combined as one and the same part, the two said units being charged with accumulated low pressure fluid supplied thereto to extend said units one from the other, and with independent rate of movement controls comprising restricted flow lines extending between the opposite complementary units respectively.

Claim 6

The stabilized intercar platform for spaced and opposed independently suspended cars as set forth in claim 1, wherein the said bungees each comprise an inner cylinder and piston unit and an outer cylinder and ram unit, the said first mentioned inner cylinder and the said ram being combined as one and the same part, the two said units being charged with accumulated low-pressure fluid supplied thereto to extend said units one from the other, and with independent rate of movement controls comprising restricted flow lines extending between the opposite complementary units respectively, and wherein the said cylinder and ram units of the control means are forcible to extended stabilizing positions, there being means applying fluid pressure to opposite bungees in excess of said accumulated fluid pressure to extend the ram-cylinder without requiring movement of the first mentioned pistons, thereby stiffening the platform relative to the cars and preventing undue movement thereof.

Claim 7

The stabilized intercar platform for spaced and opposed independently suspended cars as set forth in claim 1, wherein the said bungees each comprise an inner cylinder and piston unit and an outer cylinder and ram unit, the said first-mentioned inner cylinder and the said ram being combined as one and the same part, the inner cylinder and piston units being charged with an accumulated low fluid pressure supplied thereto to extend the pistons thereof, the outer cylinder and piston units being operated with an accumulated fluid pressure in excess of the first-mentioned accumulated fluid pressure to extend the rams thereof, and with independent rate of movement controls comprising restricted flow lines extending between the opposite complementary units respectively.

Claim 8

The stabilized intercar platform for spaced and opposed independently suspended cars as set forth in claim 1, wherein the said bungees each comprise an inner cylinder and piston unit and an outer cylinder and ram unit, the said first mentioned inner cylinder and the said ram being combined as one and the same part, the inner cylinder and piston units being charged with an accumulated low fluid pressure supplied thereto to extend the pistons thereof, the other cylinder and piston units being operated with an accumulated fluid pressure in excess of the first-mentioned accumulated fluid Pressure to extend the ram thereof, and with independent rate of movement controls comprising restricted flow lines extending between the opposite complementary units respectively, and wherein the said cylinder and ram units of the control means are forcible to extended stabilizing positions, there being means applying fluid pressure to opposite bungees in excess of the two said accumulated fluid pressures to extend the ram-cylinder without requiring movement of the first mentioned pistons, thereby stiffening the platform relative to the cars and preventing undue movement thereof.

Claim 9

The stabilized intercar platform for spaced and opposed independently suspended cars as set forth in claim 1, wherein the said bungees are disposed horizontally thereby controlling vertical pivotal movements of the carriages.

Claim 10

The stabilized intercar platform for spaced and opposed independently suspended cars as set forth in claim 1, wherein the said bungees are disposed vertically at opposite sides of the carriages respectively thereby controlling longitudinal pivotal movements of the carriages.

Claim 11

The stabilized intercar platform for spaced and opposed independently suspended cars as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least one of said pair of bungees is disposed horizontally at each carriage thereby controlling vertical pivotal movements of the carriages, and wherein at least one of said pair of bungees is disposed vertically at opposite sides of each carriage thereby controlling longitudinal pivotal movements of the carriages.