System and apparatus for multi-modal transportation

Abstract

A vehicle for multi-modal transportation includes a first frame and a second frame. Each frame includes beams spaced apart from and disposed substantially parallel to the frame's other beam. Each frame also includes a bogie connector that enables the frames to connect to bogies for transportation in a rail mode. The second frame is movable relative to the first frame between a full open position and a full closed position. A portion of the second frame's beams are concentrically nested in a portion of the first frame's beams to enable the second frame to move telescopically relative to the first frame between the full open position and the full closed position. The vehicle also includes an axle and wheels operatively secured to the first frame or the second frame for transportation in a highway mode.

1 . A vehicle for multi-modal transportation, comprising:
 a first frame having a first length, the first frame comprising
 a first beam; 
 a second beam spaced apart from and disposed substantially parallel to the first beam; and 
 a first bogie connector, wherein the first bogie connector enables the first frame to connect to a first bogie for transportation in a rail mode; 
   a second frame movable relative to the first frame between a full open position and a full closed position, the second frame comprising
 a third beam having a second length, wherein a portion of the third beam is concentrically nested in a portion of the first beam to enable the third beam to move telescopically relative to the first beam as the second frame moves relative to the first frame between the full open position and the full closed position; 
 a fourth beam having the second length, wherein a portion of the fourth beam is concentrically nested in a portion of the second beam to enable the fourth beam to move telescopically relative to the second beam as the second frame moves relative to the first frame between the full open position and the full closed position; and 
 a second bogie connector, wherein the second bogie connector enables the second frame to connect to a second bogie for transportation in the rail mode; and; 
   
       an axle and wheels operatively secured to one of the first frame and the second frame for transportation in a highway mode. 
     
     
         2 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein one of the first frame and the second frame comprises:
 a stop for stopping a movement of the second frame relative to the first frame in between the full open position and the full closed position.   
     
     
         3 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , further comprising
 a lock, wherein the lock comprises:
 a pin movable between a lock position and an unlock position to respectively lock and unlock relative movement between the first frame and the second frame; and 
 a first aperture for receiving the pin to lock the first frame and the second frame in the full open position and a second aperture for receiving the pin to lock the first frame and the second frame in the full closed position. 
   
     
     
         4 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least one first transverse cross member extending perpendicularly between and being attached to the first beam and the second beam; and   at least one second transverse cross member extending perpendicularly between and being attached to the third beam and the fourth beam.   
     
     
         5 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the axle and wheels comprises a suspension system comprising an air spring. 
     
     
         6 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of shock absorbers, wherein an upper end of each one of the plurality of shock absorbers is coupled to one of a plurality of transverse cross members. 
     
     
         7 . The vehicle of  claim 1 , in which at least one of the first frame and the second frame is formed of steel. 
     
     
         8 . A vehicle for multi-modal transportation, comprising:
 a first frame having a first length, the first frame comprising
 a first beam; 
 a second beam spaced apart from and disposed substantially parallel to the first beam; and 
 a first bogie connector, wherein the first bogie connector enables the first frame to connect to a first bogie for transportation in a rail mode; 
   a second frame movable relative to the first frame between a full open position and a full closed position, the second frame comprising
 a third beam having a second length and disposed adjacent to the first beam for movement relative to the first beam; 
 a fourth beam having the second length and disposed adjacent to the second beam for movement relative to the second beam; and 
 a second bogie connector, wherein the second bogie connector enables the second frame to connect to a second bogie for transportation in the rail mode; 
   a first slide bar secured to the third beam and the first beam, the first slide bar substantially extending a full length that comprises the first length and the second length to guide the third beam as the third beam moves relative to the first beam as the second frame moves relative to the first frame between the full open position and the full closed position;   a second slide bar secured to the fourth beam and the second beam, the second slide bar substantially extending a full length that comprises the first length and the second length to guide the fourth beam as the fourth beam moves relative to the second beam as the second frame moves relative to the first frame between the full open position and the full closed position; and   an axle and wheels operatively secured to one of the first frame and the second frame for transportation in a highway mode.   
     
     
         9 . The vehicle of  claim 8 , wherein one of the first frame and the second frame comprises:
 a stop for stopping a movement of the second frame relative to the first frame in between the full open position and the full closed position.   
     
     
         10 . The vehicle of  claim 8 , further comprising
 a lock, wherein the lock comprises:
 a pin movable between a lock position and an unlock position to respectively lock and unlock relative movement between the first frame and the second frame; and 
 a first aperture for receiving the pin to lock the first frame and the second frame in the full open position and a second aperture for receiving the pin to lock the first frame and the second frame in the full closed position. 
   
     
     
         11 . The vehicle of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 at least one first transverse cross member extending perpendicularly between and being attached to the first beam and the second beam; and   at least one second transverse cross member extending perpendicularly between and being attached to the third beam and the fourth beam.   
     
     
         12 . The vehicle of  claim 8 , wherein the axle and wheels comprises a suspension system comprising an air spring. 
     
     
         13 . The vehicle of  claim 8 , further comprising a plurality of shock absorbers, wherein an upper end of each one of the plurality of shock absorbers is coupled to one of a plurality of transverse cross members. 
     
     
         14 . The vehicle of  claim 8 , in which at least one of the first frame and the second frame is formed of steel. 
     
     
         15 . A method for using a vehicle for multi-modal transportation, comprising:
 expanding a vehicle from a first length to a second length to accommodate a length of a load;   transporting the load using the expanded vehicle in highway mode;   connecting a first end of the expanded vehicle onto a first bogey;   connecting the second end of the expanded vehicle to a second bogey; and   transporting the corresponding load using the expanded vehicle in rail mode.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein connecting the first end of the expanded vehicle onto the first bogey comprises:
 inflating an airbag to raise a portion of the first bogey to support the first end of the expanded vehicle; and wherein connecting the second end of the expanded vehicle to a second bogey comprises:   inflating an airbag to raise a portion of the second bogey to support the second end of the expanded vehicle.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the first bogey is one of an intermediate bogey and a transitional bogey. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the second bogey is one of an intermediate bogey and a transitional bogey. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 disconnecting the second end of the expanded vehicle from the second bogey;   disconnecting the first end of the expanded vehicle from the first bogey; and   transporting the load using the expanded vehicle in highway mode.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein disconnecting the second end of the expanded vehicle from the second bogey comprises:
 deflating an airbag to lower the portion of the second bogey that supports the second end of the expanded vehicle; and wherein disconnecting the first end of the expanded vehicle from the first bogey comprises:   deflating an airbag to lower the portion of the first bogey that supports the first end of the expanded vehicle.