Transfer bridge

Claim 1

A transfer bridge for bridging across railroad tracks; said transfer bridge including a bridge plate that has a free end and that is pivotably mounted on one side of the tracks in such a way that it can be pivoted about a horizontal pivot axis between an approximately vertical rest position, and an approximately horizontal operative position in which the free end of the bridge plate rests on a platform located on the opposite side of the tracks remote from that one side of the tracks where said bridge plate is pivotally mounted; said transfer bridge further comprising: a first guide rail means disposed on that side of said tracks remote from said platform, with said first guide rail means extending parallel to said tracks; a travel mechanism movably disposed on said first guide rail means in such a way that it is movable parallel to said tracks; the pivotable mounting of said bridge plate being effected by pivotably mounting the latter on said travel mechanism; boom means connected to said travel mechanism and extending upwardly therefrom away from said first guide rail means; second guide rail means disposed above said horizontal pivot axis for holding said boom means in such a way that the latter cannot tilt; said boom means including a separate boom on each side of said bridge plate, when viewed from said platform, and a horizontal crosspiece for connecting said booms; said crosspiece being disposed at a height corresponding approximately to the height of that end of said bridge plate remote from said horizontal pivot axis when said bridge plate is in its vertical rest position; said travel mechanism, said two separate booms, and said crosspiece rigid frame defining a plane; said bridge plate, when in its vertical rest position, being essentially disposed with said frame, i.e. within the plane defined by said frame.