Over-way platforms for transportation systems

Abstract

A portable platform structure includes a platform, which bridges a thoroughfare to permit pedestrian traffic to cross over the thoroughfare. A trolley may be coupled to the platform, which supports a wheel system, and wheels are included in the wheel system to engage a surface of the thoroughfare or a track on the thoroughfare to permit the portable platform structure to be moved along the thoroughfare to permit placement of the platform structure.

1 . A portable platform structure, comprising: 
 a platform, which bridges a thoroughfare to permit pedestrian traffic to cross over the thoroughfare;    a trolley coupled to the platform which supports a wheel system; and    wheels included in the wheel system to engage one of a surface of the thoroughfare or a track on the thoroughfare to permit the portable platform structure to be moved along the thoroughfare to permit placement of the platform structure.    
   
   
       2 . The structure as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the platform includes a positioning mechanism to permit adjustment of the platform.  
   
   
       3 . The structure as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the platform includes a suspension system.  
   
   
       4 . The structure as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the thoroughfare includes a railway track and the wheels engage the railway track.  
   
   
       5 . The structure as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the thoroughfare includes a roadway and the wheels include tires, which engage the roadway.  
   
   
       6 . The structure as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the trolley includes a steering mechanism.  
   
   
       7 . The structure as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a ramp extendable between a permanent platform and the platform.  
   
   
       8 . The structure as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the platform includes planks.  
   
   
       9 . The structure as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the platform includes removable plates, which are configurable to change a size and shape of the platform.  
   
   
       10 . The structure as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising railings installable in the platform.  
   
   
       11 . The structure as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the railings are configurable to restrict access by pedestrians to portions of the platform or beyond.  
   
   
       12 . The structure as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the platform is configured to include lights.  
   
   
       13 . The structure as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a braking system, which locks the wheels when the platform is in an operational position.  
   
   
       14 . The structure as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising stairs coupled to the platform.  
   
   
       15 . A portable over-way platform structure for a railway system, comprising: 
 a platform, which bridges a first track to permit pedestrian traffic to cross over the first track;    a trolley coupled to the platform, which supports a wheel system;    a positioning system coupled between the trolley and the platform to provide vertical and horizontal adjustment of the platform relative to the wheel system; and    wheels included in the wheel system to engage the first track to permit the portable platform structure to be moved along the first track to permit placement of the platform structure.    
   
   
       16 . The structure as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the platform provides access to vehicles running on a second track, which is adjacent to the first track.  
   
   
       17 . The structure as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the platform includes a suspension system.  
   
   
       18 . The structure as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the trolley includes a steering mechanism.  
   
   
       19 . The structure as recited in  claim 15 , further comprising a ramp for extending the platform between a permanent platform and the platform.  
   
   
       20 . The structure as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the platform includes planks.  
   
   
       21 . The structure as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the platform includes removable plates, which are configurable to change a size and shape of the platform.  
   
   
       22 . The structure as recited in  claim 15 , further comprising railings installable in the platform.  
   
   
       23 . The structure as recited in  claim 22 , wherein the railings are configurable to restrict access by pedestrians to portions of the platform or beyond.  
   
   
       24 . The structure as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the platform is configured to include lights.  
   
   
       25 . The structure as recited in  claim 15 , further comprising a braking system, which locks the wheels when the platform is in an operational position.  
   
   
       26 . The structure as recited in  claim 15 , further comprising stairs coupled to the platform.  
   
   
       27 . A portable platform structure, comprising: 
 a platform module, which bridges a thoroughfare to permit pedestrian traffic to cross over the thoroughfare;    a trolley coupled to the platform module, which supports a wheel system;    wheels included in the wheel system to engage one of a surface of the thoroughfare or a track on the thoroughfare to permit the platform module to be moved along the thoroughfare to permit placement of the platform structure; and    at least one coupler connected to the trolley, which couples the trolley to another platform module and/or a driver vehicle for moving the platform module.    
   
   
       28 . The structure as recited in  claim 27 , wherein the platform includes a positioning mechanism to permit adjustment of the platform.  
   
   
       29 . The structure as recited in  claim 27 , wherein the platform includes a suspension system.  
   
   
       30 . The structure as recited in  claim 27 , wherein the thoroughfare includes a railway track and the wheels engage the railway track.  
   
   
       31 . The structure as recited in  claim 27 , wherein the thoroughfare includes a roadway and the wheels include tires, which engage the roadway.  
   
   
       32 . The structure as recited in  claim 27 , wherein the trolley includes a steering mechanism.  
   
   
       33 . The structure as recited in  claim 27 , further comprising a ramp extendable between a permanent platform and the platform module.  
   
   
       34 . The structure as recited in  claim 27 , wherein the platform module includes planks.  
   
   
       35 . The structure as recited in  claim 27 , wherein the platform module includes removable plates, which are configurable to change a size and shape of the platform module.  
   
   
       36 . The structure as recited in  claim 27 , further comprising railings installable in the platform module.  
   
   
       37 . The structure as recited in  claim 36 , wherein the railings are configurable to restrict access by pedestrians to portions of the platform or beyond.  
   
   
       38 . The structure as recited in  claim 27 , wherein the platform module is configured to include lights.  
   
   
       39 . The structure as recited in  claim 27 , further comprising a braking system, which locks the wheels when the platform is in an operational position.  
   
   
       40 . The structure as recited in  claim 27 , further comprising stairs coupled to the platform module.  
   
   
       41 . The structure as recited in  claim 27 , further comprising a plurality of platform modules coupled via couplers of adjacent platform modules.  
   
   
       42 . The structure as recited in  claim 41 , wherein the plurality of platform modules includes different types of platform modules.  
   
   
       43 . The structure as recited in  claim 27 , wherein the coupler includes an adjustment to permit control of a spacing between adjacent platform modules.  
   
   
       44 . The structure as recited in  claim 27 , further comprising a plate to cover a spacing between adjacent platform modules.