Patent ID: 6167816
Filing Date: 2001-01-02
Classification: B61D

Abstract:
A cartridge bridge plate assembly for mounting under a floor structure of a transit vehicle adjacent a passenger door opening, such floor structure having a generally planar floor surface, said cartridge bridge plate assembly comprising: (a) a frame assembly; (b) a frame assembly attachment means engageable with such floor structure for attaching said frame assembly underneath such floor structure of such transit vehicle; (c) a bridge plate connected for movement relative to said frame assembly for covering a gap between such generally planar floor surface of such transit vehicle and an adjacent stationary surface to facilitate passenger ingress and egress between such transit vehicle and such stationary surface when such transit vehicle is stopped; (d) a bridge plate positioning means connected to said bridge plate for positioning said bridge plate and accommodating motion of said bridge plate relative to said frame assembly from a stowed position within said frame assembly beneath such floor structure of such transit vehicle to an extended position for covering such gap; (e) at least three vertical axis rollers attached to said frame assembly for guiding said bridge plate and said bridge plate positioning means; (f) a motor connected to said bridge plate positioning means for moving said bridge plate from said stowed position to said extended position and from said extended position to said stowed position; (g) a power connection to said motor; (h) a single drive screw positioned in a substantially central location of said bridge plate assembly, said drive screw connected to and rotated by said motor; (i) a drive nut engaging said drive screw to be translated thereby, said drive nut having mechanical connection to said bridge plate positioning means to move said bridge plate from said stowed position to said extended position and from said extended position to said stowed position; and (j) an elevating means connected to said bridge plate positioning means for elevating an inner edge of said bridge plate to match an elevation of such floor surface of such transit vehicle.