Patent ID: 6138576
Filing Date: 2000-10-31
Classification: B61D,B61F

Abstract:
A device for pivotally connecting neighboring rail car bodies, said device comprisingball-and-socket pivot joints (6) for said car bodies (1,2) arranged on a common swiveling railway truck (4) so that each of said car bodies (1,2) is pivotally supported on said swiveling railway truck (4);a central portal (3) arranged between the car bodies (1,2); andswiveling linkage means for kinematically coupling said central portal with said car bodies (1,2) in the vicinity of a roof of the car bodies, wherein said swiveling linkage means comprises two central portal arms (8) pivotally connected to said central portal (3) in the vicinity of said a roof, car body arms (7) pivotally connected to respective ones of said car bodies (1,2) in the vicinity of said roof and a control device (10,11) connected with said central portal arms (8) and said car body arms (7) to guide said central portal arms (7) so that said central portal arms each take identical angles (.alpha.) in relation to a vertical axis of the central portal (3);wherein said central portal arms (8) of said central portal (3) are pivotally connected to the respective car body arms (7) to form upper members of two three-dimensional kite-shaped quadrilateral linkages and the car bodies (1,2) and central portal (3) form lower members of the two three-dimensional kite-shaped quadrilateral linkages.