Patent Publication Number: US-10759450-B2

Title: System for securing a screen door module to a platform and associated erection method

Description:
This application claims priority to International Application No. PCT/EP2016/062233 filed May 31, 2016 and to European Application No. 15305953.0 filed Jun. 19, 2015; the entire contents of each are incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The invention relates to a system for fixing a screen door module to a platform edge. The invention also relates to a method for mounting a screen door module on a platform using the fixing system according to the invention. 
     SUMMARY 
     Creating a dividing screen between a platform and a track, such as a train track or subway track, imposes time constraints, operating constraints and installation constraints. The time constraint is due to the fact that installing such a screen needs to be done between two services, namely over a period of approximately three operating hours, at night. The operating constraint is due to the fact that the screen installed during two services needs to be functional right from the start of the service, the morning following installation. The installation constraint is due to a number of factors which may occur together: 
     High loads including the ever increasing crowd pressure (3000 N/linear m) is added to the piston effect of the running train; 
     Reinforcement of the bottom fixing to the platform in the case of screen doors that have no top fixing. 
     The use of screen door modules makes it possible in part to alleviate some of the abovementioned constraints, these modules being assembled at a location more or less distant from the platform that is to be equipped and then transported thereto for installation. It is therefore necessary to have prepared the platform edge beforehand and to have a fixing system that allows screen door modules to be laid quickly, efficiently and optimally. 
     To this end, the invention provides a system for fixing a screen door module to a platform extending along a track and comprising at least one upright at each end and a sill between the end uprights, which system comprises: 
     a first platform-edge plate, 
     a second platform-edge plate, 
     a first base mounted fixedly on one among the first and second platform-edge plates, 
     a second base mounted movably on the other among the first and second platform-edge plates with a translational movement in a direction parallel or tangential to the track, and in a direction of moving towards, or moving away from, the first base, 
     means for fixing and adjusting the end uprights on the first and second bases. 
     Thus, the fact of having platform-edge plates means that a reference surface can be created that is optimal for installing the screen door module. The presence of bases on each of the platform-edge plates with one of the bases being translationally mobile, makes it possible easily to adjust them to the actual distance between the uprights of the screen door module, which actual distance is dependent on the build-up of assembly clearances of the screen door module. Finally, the fixing and adjusting means make it possible, among other things, to adjust the verticality of the uprights of the screen door module. Thus, the laying of the screen door module is quick, efficient and optimal. 
     Advantageously, but optionally, the fixing system according to the invention has at least one of the following additional technical features: the fixing system comprises a system for mounting the bases on the platform-edge plates, which system comprises a clamping screw and a spacer received in an oblong opening passing through a thickness of the base in question; 
     the spacer of the system for mounting the second base has a thickness which is greater than the thickness of the base through which the oblong opening passes the oblong opening; 
     the spacer of the system for mounting the first base has a thickness which is less than the thickness of the base through which the oblong opening passes the oblong opening; 
     the oblong opening has a counterbore for receiving a head of the screw; 
     the fixing and adjusting means comprise at least one adjusting and clamping unit comprising a jack screw bearing against the base in question, which jack screw is intended to be screwed into the sill in the vicinity of a foot of the end upright in question, and a clamping tie rod passing through the jack screw and the base in question; 
     with the platform-edge plate in question being traversed by the clamping tie rod, the platform-edge plate in question has a through-orifice receiving the tie and having a diameter which is greater than a diameter of the clamping tie rod; 
     the clamping tie rod is anchored in an edge of the platform; 
     the clamping tie rod passes through a thickness of a platform edge and the fixing and clamping means additionally comprise an under-platform fixing plate cooperating with the clamping tie rod; 
     the jack screw comprises a spherical end-piece and the base in question comprises a conical washer arranged so as to receive in abutment the spherical end-piece of the jack screw; 
     the fixing means comprise three adjusting and clamping units positioned in a triangle; 
     the first and second bases each comprise a stud for centering the end upright which is intended to be fixed to the base in question; 
     at least one among the first and second platform-edge plates forms the other of the first and second platform-edge plates of a system for fixing an adjacent screen door module; 
     the first and second bases are made of an electrically insulating material, and 
     the first and second bases have a functional clearance therebetween that is arranged so as to make it possible to give a relative inclination between the first and second bases in a plane of the platform. 
     The invention also provides a method for mounting, with the aid of a fixing system having at least one of the above features, a screen door module on a platform extending along a track and comprising at least one upright at each end, which method comprises steps of: 
     (a) placing the first and second platform-edge plates at the platform edge at a distance from one another corresponding to a distance between the end uprights of the screen door module; then, 
     (b) placing and fixing the first and second bases respectively on the first and second platform-edge plates; then, 
     (c) bringing in the preassembled screen door module and laying the screen door module on the first and second bases, by possible sliding of the second base with respect to the first base; then, 
     (d) implementing the fixing and adjusting means associated with the first and second bases so as to ensure the verticality and the fixing of the end uprights. 
     Advantageously, but optionally, the mounting method according to the invention has at least one of the following additional technical features: 
     step (a) comprises a substep of drilling through-orifices in a thickness of the platform edge opposite the tie-receiving through-orifices of the platform-edge plates; 
     step (b) comprises a substep of producing tappings in the platform-edge plates, which tappings are intended to receive by screwing the clamping screws of the systems for mounting the bases on the platform-edge plates; and, 
     step (d), for each end upright of the screen door, comprises substeps of: 
     placing the clamping tie rods through the foot of the end upright in question, through the associated base, through the associated platform-edge plate and through the platform edge by screwing the ties to the associated under-platform fixing plate or into anchorings; then 
     adjusting the verticality of the end upright in question by putting the jack screws to use; then, 
     finally clamping the clamping tie rods. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following description of one embodiment. In the attached drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a three-dimensional view of a set of platform screen doors installed on a platform edge; 
         FIG. 2  is a three-dimensional view of a screen door module installed on a platform edge using a fixing system according to the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a three-dimensional view illustrating the preparation of a platform edge with platform-edge plates of the fixing system according to the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a view of detail IV of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is the view of  FIG. 4 , the bases of the fixing system according to the invention fitted to the platform-edge plates; 
         FIGS. 6 a  and 6 b    are three-dimensional views in cross section of detail VI of  FIG. 5 , according to two embodiments; 
         FIG. 7  is a partial three-dimensional exploded view of the assembly of an upright of the screen door module on the platform edge with the fixing system according to the invention; and 
         FIG. 8  is a three-dimensional view in cross section of the assembly of  FIG. 7 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A platform  1  equipped with screen doors will be described briefly with reference to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 . The platform  1  is arranged along a track (visible in  FIG. 3 ). A set of screen doors is arranged at a platform edge  11 . In this instance, the screen doors form screen door modules  2 ,  3 . Each screen door module  2 ,  3  comprises an access passage which is closed off or opened up by a pair of sliding doors, each made up of a sliding leaf  5 . On each side of the passage, the screen door modules  2 ,  3  each comprise two fixed parts each equipped with an emergency door comprising an emergency leaf  4 . The two fixed parts surround the access passage associated with the screen door module. Each of the sliding leaves  5  moves translationally with respect to the fixed part to which it is connected. Each of the screen door modules  2 ,  3  comprise two end uprights  21 ,  22  surrounding the set formed by the two fixed parts and the two sliding doors. At platform level, the screen door modules  2 ,  3  comprise a door sill  7  which extends from the end upright  21  as far as the other end upright  22  whilst crossing the access passage. At the foot of the end uprights  21 ,  22  a fixing system  6  according to the invention is used to connect the screen door module  2 ,  3  to the platform edge  11 . The fixing system  6  according to the invention is partially housed in an excavation  12  formed on an upper surface of the platform edge  11 . 
     The fixing system  6  according to the invention will be described with reference to  FIG. 7  and to  FIG. 8 . The fixing system  6  according to the invention comprises a first  61  and a second  61 ′ platform-edge plate. Each of the first  61  and second  61 ′ platform-edge plates is associated with an end upright  21 ,  22  respectively. The first  61  and second  61 ′ platform-edge plates are fitted ahead of the installing of a screen door module  2 ,  3 . The first  61  and second  61 ′ platform-edge plates are positioned in excavations  12  produced by the civil engineers in the platform edge  11  at an upper surface of the platform  1 . Special laying tooling is used in order to have precision in the laying of the platform-edge plates  61 ,  61 ′. This precision is obtained in relation to an axis V of the track along which the platform  1  is formed (see  FIG. 3 ), with respect to a depth in the excavation  12  and in a direction parallel to the axis V of the track, or a direction tangential to the track in the event of the latter being curved. In a frame of reference R (X,Y,Z), each platform-edge plate  61 ,  61 ′ is positioned in this frame of reference R according to coordinates (Xi, Yi, Zi) of a notable point of reference of the platform-edge plate  61 ,  61 ′, each of the coordinates (Xi, Yi and Zi) including a level of precision of implementation respecting the civil engineering standard. Specifically, it is important to have optimal positioning of the platform-edge plates  61 ,  61 ′ because these will define a reference surface for installing the screen door modules  2 ,  3  on the edge  11  of the platform  1 . With reference to  FIG. 4 , the platform-edge plate  61 ,  61 ′ is a double plate and intended here to straddle two adjacent screen door modules  2 ,  3 . In fact, in this situation, the double platform-edge plate  61 ,  61 ′ forms simultaneously: 
     the first platform-edge plate  61  of the fixing system  6  according to the invention for fixing a screen door module  3 , associated with the end upright  22 , and 
     the second platform-edge plate  61 ′ of the fixing system  6  according to the invention for fixing another screen door module  3  adjacent to the previous screen door module  2  and associated with the end upright  21 . 
     The double platform-edge plate  61 ,  61 ′ comprises two series of through-orifices  611  passing through a thickness of the double platform-edge plate  61 ,  61 ′. In this instance, each series comprises three through-orifices  611 , the two series being positioned with mirror symmetry with respect to a mid-plane of the double platform-edge plate  61 ,  61 ′, which mid-plane is perpendicular to the axis V of the track, and therefore perpendicular to the edge  11  of the platform  1 . Each series of through-orifices  611  forms the vertices of a triangle. 
     The fixing system  6  further comprises a first base  62  and a second base  63 . These bases  62 ,  63  will be described in relation to  FIGS. 5, 6   a  and  6   b . The first base  62  comprises a series of through-orifices  623  passing through a thickness of the first base  62  and positioned in such a way that when the first base  62  is mounted on the first platform-edge plate  61 , the series of through-orifices  623  align with the series of through-orifices  611  of the first platform-edge plate  61 . Furthermore, the first base  62  comprises at least one oblong through-opening  621  passing through a thickness of the first base  62 . In this instance there are two oblong through-openings  621  which are parallel to one another and which are, once the first base  62  has been mounted on the first platform-edge plate  61 , parallel to the axis V of the track. Each of the oblong through-openings  621  comprises, from the top downwards: 
     a counterbore  631  ending around mid-thickness of the first base  62  with a rim  632 ; then, 
     a slot  633  passing through the remainder of the thickness of the first base  62  from the rim  632 . 
     The fixing system  6  according to the invention comprises a mounting system  634 , 635 , 636  for mounting the first base  62  on the first platform-edge plate  61 . The first platform-edge plate  61  for that purpose comprises tappings  612  produced at the time of fixing of the first base  62 . The mounting system for mounting the first base  62  on the first platform-edge plate  61  comprises a screw  636  having a screw thread designed to collaborate with the associated tapping  612 . The mounting system further comprises a thrust washer  635  and a spacer  634 . The spacer  634  is housed with sliding in the slot  631  of the oblong through-opening  621 . The spacer  634  has a thickness that is less than a height or depth of the slot  633 . Thus, as illustrated in  FIG. 6 b   , when the screws  636  are tightened, the thrust washer  635  comes to bear against the rim  632  of the oblong through-opening  621 , a head of the screw  636  being “recessed” in the counterbore  631 . As a result, when the first base  62  is mounted on the first platform-edge plate  61 , the first base  62  is mounted fixedly on this first platform-edge plate  61 . Furthermore, the first base  62  comprises a centering stud  624  which projects from an upper face of the first base. This centering stud  624  is either formed as one with the first base  62 , or attached to the first base  62  and fixed thereto using a screw  6241  for example. This centering stud  624  allows a first positioning of the end upright  22  of the screen door module  2  as it is being installed. Finally, conical washers  622  are positioned around the through-orifices  623 . These conical washers  622  will act as seats for the fixing and adjusting means used to fix and adjust the end upright  22  on the first base  62 . 
     The second base  63  is similar to the first base  62  just described, except that the second base  63  is the mirror image of the first base  62 . The second base  63  is mounted on the second platform-edge plate  61 ′ in a similar way. However, the mounting system  625 ,  635 ,  636  for mounting the second base  63  on the second platform-edge plate  61 ′ comprises a spacer  625  which has a greater thickness than the spacer  634  already described. It is illustrated in  FIG. 6 a   . In fact, the thickness of the spacer  625  is greater than the height or depth of the slot  633  which accepts it with sliding. When the screw  636  is tightened, the thrust washer  635  now comes to press against the spacer  625  rather than against the rim  632  of the counterbore  631 . Thus, there is a functional clearance J between the thrust washer  635  and the rim  632  which allows the second spacer  63  to move freely along the slot  633  with respect to the second platform-edge plate  61 ′. As a result, the second base  63  is mounted with the ability to move in a translational movement in a direction parallel to the axis V of the track, and in a direction of moving towards, or moving away from, the first base  61 . 
     The fixing system  6  according to the invention further comprises fixing and adjusting means  64 , 65 , 642 , for fixing and adjusting the end uprights  21 ,  22  on the first  62  and second  63  bases which have just been described. The fixing and adjusting means comprise at least one adjusting and clamping unit comprising a clamping tie rod  642  and a jack screw  65 . In this instance, illustrated in the figures, the fixing and adjusting means comprise three adjusting and clamping units positioned in a triangle to face the series of through-orifices  611  in the base  62  or  63  used. 
     According to one embodiment, the clamping tie rod  642  passes through the base  62  or  63  via the through-orifice  623 , the platform-edge plate  61  or  61 ′ via the through-orifice  611 , a thickness of the edge  11  of the platform  1  via an open-ended hole  111  made in line with the through-orifice  623 . In this embodiment, the fixing and adjusting means comprise an under-platform fixing plate  64  comprising means  641  of screwing a threaded end of the clamping tie rod  642 . For example, these means of screwing are nuts  641  welded to the under-platform fixing plate  64 . 
     According to another embodiment not illustrated in the figures, the clamping tie rod  642  is anchored in the thickness of the edge  11  of the platform  1 , under the platform-edge plate  61  or  61 ′, using anchoring methods known per se. For example, the clamping tie rod  642  is screwed into an anchor positioned in line with the orifice  611  in the edge  11  of the platform  1 , or alternatively positioned in the orifice  111  of the platform edge  11 . 
     The jack screw  65  comprises a body that is a hollow cylinder of revolution  652  comprising on a lateral external surface a screw thread intended to collaborate in screwing with an open-ended tapped hole  72  made in a thickness of the sill  7  of the screen door module  2 , 3 . At a top of the body  652 , the jack screw  65  comprises jack-screw operating means in the form of a socket  653 . The socket  653  in this instance takes the form of a series of notches uniformly distributed over a periphery of the top of the body  652 . The number of notches is comprised between 2 and 4 for example. A bottom end of the body  652  of the jack screw  65  comprises a spherical base  651  intended, during mounting, to collaborate with the conical washer  622  in order to tolerate any axial misalignment between a longitudinal axis of the jack screw and an axis of the conical washer  622 . The spherical base  651  is pierced with an orifice coaxial with the body  652  and comprises an upper internal rim against which a head  643  of the clamping tie rod  642  is able to come to bear, which head is then fully accommodated within the body  652  of the jack screw  65 . A set  644  of washers with spherical bearing surface that complement one another, and positioned between the internal upper rim of the jack screw  65  and the head  943  of the clamping tie rod  642 , makes it possible to compensate for any axial misalignment between the jack screw  65  and the clamping tie rod  642 . Furthermore, an O-ring seal  645  is provided to complete the device. It should be noted that, during mounting, the jack screw  65  is housed in the thickness of the sill  7 . A cover  71  is then provided to protect the jack screw  65  and the head  643  of the clamping tie rod  642  against external attack. 
     It should be noted that the first  62  and second  63  bases described hereinabove are preferably made from a material that is electrically insulating so as to allow the screen door module  2 ,  3  installed using the fixing system  6  according to the invention to be electrically insulated from the platform  1 . What is more, one of the washers of the set  644  is also made from a material that is electrically insulating. 
     A method according to the invention for mounting a screen door module  2 ,  3  on a platform  1  will now be described. The mounting method according to the invention uses the fixing system  6  according to the invention which has just been described. 
     In a first step, illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , of the mounting method according to the invention, the first  61  and second  61 ′ platform-edge plates are installed at the level of an upper surface of the platform edge that forms the edge  11  of the platform  1 . The platform-edge plates  61 , 61 ′ are positioned in excavations  12  produced for that purpose. In addition they are positioned at a distance apart that corresponds to a nominal distance between the end uprights  21  and  22  of the screen door module  2 , 3  that is to be installed on the platform  1 . They are also positioned at a predetermined distance from the axis V of the track along which the platform  1  is formed. This step is performed by the civil engineers ahead of the installation of a screen door module  2 , 3 . Once the platform-edge plates  61 , 61 ′ are in place, a drilling III into the thickness of the platform edge is performed in line with the through-orifices  611  of the platform-edge plates  61 , 61 ′. The drillings  111  are either through-holes or blind holes depending on the type of clamping tie rod  642  used subsequently. 
     In a second step, illustrated in  FIG. 5  for example, the first  62  and second  63  bases are fitted on the first  61  and second  61 ′ platform-edge plates installed previously. This fitting is performed ahead of the installing of the screen door module  2 ,  3 . In a first phase, the tappings  612  are made in the thickness of the platform-edge plates  61 ,  61 ′. These tappings  612  are preferably blind tappings and are positioned with respect to the axis V of the track and according to a theoretical dimension for the distance between centers of the end uprights  21 , 22  of the screen door module  2 ,  3  that is to be installed. In a second stage, the bases  62 , 63  are mounted on their respective platform-edge plates  61 ,  61 ′, one of them,  62 , being mounted fixed and the other,  63 , mounted with the ability to slide as described hereinabove. In the event that there is a difference in level between an upper surface of the base  62 , 63  and the upper surface of the platform  1 , protective means forming blocks are installed on the base  62 , 63  to make up the difference in level to the upper surface of the platform  1 , if the upper surface of the base  62 , 63  is below the level of the upper surface of the platform  1 . 
     In a third step, the preassembled screen door module  2 , 3  is brought in then laid on the first  62  and second  63  bases. The base mounted with the ability to slide is moved if necessary to take account of the buildup of assembly clearances of the screen door module  2 , 3  in the process of being installed. The centering studs  624  make the laying of the screen door module  2 , 3  easier. The centering studs  124  collaborate with an orifice  23  provided for this purpose in the foot of the end uprights  21 , 22  of the screen door module  2 , 3 . 
     In a fourth step illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the fixing and clamping means of the fixing system  6  according to the invention are used to ensure the verticality and the fixing of the end uprights  21 , 22  of the screen door module  2 , 3  in the process of being installed. To do that, the jack screws  65  are placed in the tapped holes  72  of the sill  7  of the screen door module  2 , 3 . 
     As an alternative, the fitting of the jack screws  65  may be performed on the site at which the screen door module  2 , 3  is assembled before it is transported. In that case, holding means are provided in order to prevent the jack screw  65  fitted from rising up in the tapped holes  72  and accidentally escaping during handling and adjustment of the screen door module  2 , 3 . 
     Next, the clamping tie rods  642  are fitted through the foot of the end uprights  21 , 22 , and through the jack screws  65 , then the associated bases  62 , 63  and the associated platform-edge plates  61 , 61 ′. In the case of clamping tie rods that pass through the platform edge  11 , the ties are then screwed into the associated under-platform fixing plate  64 . In the case of clamping tie rods that are anchored into the thickness of the platform edge, the clamping tie rods  642  are screwed into anchors embedded directly in the thickness of the platform edge in the drillings III, which can then be blind drillings. Whatever the case may be, the clamping tie rods  642  are not tightened at this stage in the mounting method according to the invention. 
     Next, the verticality of the end uprights  21 , 22  is adjusted by using the jack screws  65  now pressing via their base  651  on their respective conical washer  622 . 
     Once this verticality adjustment has been made, the clamping tie rods  652  are definitively tightened. Special-purpose tooling allows the jack screw  65  to be held in position during the tightening of the associated clamping tie rod  652  so that the verticality of the end uprights  21 , 22  is not disturbed during definitive tightening. 
     Of course, it is possible to make numerous modifications to the invention without thereby departing from the scope thereof.