US-12623696-B2 - Convolute for a gangway, bellows, and gangway

US12623696B2US 12623696 B2US12623696 B2US 12623696B2US-12623696-B2

Abstract

A convolute for a gangway, whereby the convolute extends from a first edge to a tip, and from the tip to a second edge, whereby the convolute has a bottom edge, whereby a gap filler is attached to the convolute in an area of the convolute that borders the bottom edge, whereby the gap filler has a flexible section that protrudes downwards from the bottom edge.

Inventors

Jason Fowler

Assignees

DELLNER COUPLERS AB

Dates

Publication Date: 20260512
Application Date: 20220621
Priority Date: 20210621

Claims (11)

1 . A convolute for a gangway, the convolute extending from a first edge to a tip, and from the tip to a second edge, the convolute having a bottom edge, and wherein a gap filler is attached to the convolute in an area of the convolute that borders the bottom edge, the gap filler having a flexible section that protrudes downwards from the bottom edge; wherein the flexible section comprises a plurality of slits and a plurality of holes, wherein each of the slits is configured to terminate in each of the holes.
2 . The convolute according to claim 1 , wherein the convolute extends in an arc-shaped manner from the first edge to the second edge, the tip being the tip of the arc.
3 . The convolute according to claim 1 , wherein the convolute is made from a flexible material.
4 . The convolute according to claim 1 , wherein the gap filler is attached to the convolute in a releasable manner.
5 . The convolute according to claim 1 , wherein the gap filler is attached to the convolute by a Velcro hook and loop type connection.
6 . The convolute according to claim 1 , wherein the flexible section comprises a plurality of fringes that extend in a downward direction.
7 . The convolute according to claim 1 , further comprising a crossbar, the crossbar comprising: a first end attached to a part of the convolute that extends from the first edge to the tip, or is attached to the first edge; and a second end that is attached to a second part of the convolute that extends from the tip to the second edge, or is attached to the second edge; wherein the gap filler is attached to the crossbar.
8 . The convolute according to claim 7 , wherein the gap filler has an attachment end, wherein the attachment end is attached to the crossbar, and wherein the gap filler extends upwards from the attachment end and passes around a top of the crossbar and extends downwards after having passed around the top of the crossbar.
9 . A bellows for a gangway, the bellows having a series of convolutes arranged next to one another, wherein at least one of the convolutes extends from a first edge to a tip, and from the tip to a second edge, wherein the convolute has a bottom edge, and wherein a gap filler is attached to the convolute in an area of the convolute that borders the bottom edge, and wherein the gap filler has a flexible section that protrudes downwards from the bottom edge; wherein the flexible section comprises a plurality of slits and a plurality of holes, wherein each of the slits is configured to terminate in each of the holes.
10 . The bellows according to claim 9 , wherein at least a first convolute and a second convolute of the series of convolutes of the gangway extend from a first edge to a tip, and from the tip to a second edge, each of said at least first and second convolute having a bottom edge, and wherein a gap filler is attached to each of said at least first and second convolute in an area of the at least first and second convolute that borders the bottom edge, and wherein the gap filler has a flexible section that protrudes downwards from the bottom edge; the gap filler of the first convolute protruding downwards from the bottom edge of the first convolute by a first amount; and the gap filler of the second convolute protruding downwards from the bottom edge of the second convolute by a second amount that is different from the first amount.
11 . A gangway comprising: a bellows; and a floor; wherein the bellows comprises a series of convolutes arranged next to one another, at least one of the convolutes extending from a first edge to a tip, and from the tip to a second edge, wherein the at least one convolute has a bottom edge, and wherein a gap filler is attached to the at least one convolute in an area of the convolute that borders the bottom edge, and wherein the gap filler has a flexible section that protrudes downwards from the bottom edge; wherein the flexible section comprises a plurality of slits and a plurality of holes, wherein each of the slits is configured to terminate in each of the holes; and wherein at least part of the floor of the gangway has a top surface arranged at a distance from the bottom edge of a convolute that is arranged above at least that part of the floor.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention pertains to a convolute for a gangway. The invention also pertains to a bellows for a gangway. The invention also pertains to a gangway. BACKGROUND Gangways are known from everyday life for numerous applications. Multi-car vehicles, like trains or articulated buses often are designed with a gangway that is arranged between a first car and a second car of the multicar vehicle. Gangways are often designed to have bellows. The bellows typically is made up of a series of convolutes, the respective convolutes being arranged one next to the other to form the bellows. Gangways often have a floor. In some designs of gangways, the convolute as a bottom edge that is arranged at a distance from a top surface of the floor or the top surface of a part of the floor. SUMMARY Given this background, a problem to be solved by the invention is to suggest a convolute for a gangway and a gangway that are either more aesthetically pleasing and/or safer than the gangways known from the prior art. This problem is solved by one or more of the convolute, bellows, and gangway according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Preferred embodiments are described in the description following here after. The invention is based on the basic idea to provide the individual convolute with a gap filler that is attached to the convolute in an area of the convolute that borders the bottom edge, whereby the gap filler has a flexible section that protrudes downwards from the bottom edge. The flexible section of the gap filler that protrudes downwards from the bottom edge can be used to at least partially, preferably completely cover a gap between the bottom edge of the convolute and a top surface of the floor or the top surface of a part of the floor. This allows the gangway to be more aesthetically pleasing, because the gap is less visible. This design also can be considered to be more safer than gangways that have a gap between the bottom edge of the convolute and a top surface of the floor or a top surface of a part of the floor, because the flexible section that protrudes downwards from the bottom edge reduces the chance of items being inserted into the gap between the bottom edge of the convolute and the top surface of the floor or the part of the floor respectively. The inventive concept to attach the gap filler to the individual convolute provides the additional advantage that the gap filler can follow the movements of the convolute. Convolutes of bellows of gangways are compressed or expanded in certain operational conditions. For example, if a multicar vehicle that has a gangway with a bellows travels around a bend, the convolute on the inner side of the bend will be compressed while the convolute at the outer side of the curve will be expanded. Also, sideways movements will occur in driving conditions where the longitudinal axis of the one car of the multicar vehicle is slightly offset, but still parallel to the longitudinal axis of the other car. Movements into the vertical direction are also feasible and known to the skilled person. Because according to the invention the gap filler is attached to the individual convolute, the invention allows the gap filler to follow the individual movements of the individual convolute more closely. This will lead to an improved coverage of the gap between the bottom edge of the convolute in relation to the top surface of the floor or the part of the floor in comparison to designs where a gap filler is made as an individual element that does not follow the movements of the convolute. The convolute according to the invention is suitable to be used as part of a gangway. The convolute extends from a first edge to a tip and from the tip to a second edge. The first edge typically for the majority, preferably for the overwhelming majority (more than 75%) and most preferably for its complete extent extends along a straight line. The second edge typically for the majority, preferably for the overwhelming majority (more than 75%) and most preferably for its complete extent extends along a straight line. Typically, the first edge is suitable to be attached to the second edge of a neighboring convolute. The attachment between the edges of neighboring convolutes can be made by way of stitching, gluing, VELCRO® brand hook and loop type fastener, bolting, riveting, clamping and/or crimping, whereby embodiments are feasible, where only an individual way of attachment of the above-mentioned list of attachment methods is used and whereby embodiments are feasible, where combinations of the attachment methods are used to attach the first edge of one convolute to the second edge of a neighboring convolute. The first edge and/or the second edge can be reinforced. For example, a bar or a lath can be attached to the area of the convolute bordering the first edge of the second edge respectively, which bar or lath extends along at least a part of the first edge or the second edge respect