Apparatus for Covering a Connection Between Railcars

Abstract

An apparatus comprises an interior panel being configured to at least cover a portion of a side of a gangway between at least a first passenger car and a second passenger car. Reel mechanisms are in engagement with the interior panel. The reel mechanisms are operable to curl portions of sides of the interior panel to accommodate a change in distance between the passenger cars. Curling devices are in engagement with the reel mechanisms and are configured to urge the reel mechanisms to curl sides of the interior panel. At least one connection rod mechanism is in engagement with the reel mechanisms and is configured to be operable to support a middle portion of the interior panel. Connection fixing devices are configured to join the reel mechanisms to the passenger cars.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising:
 an interior panel being configured to at least cover a portion of a side of a gangway between at least a first passenger car and a second passenger car;   reel mechanisms in engagement with said interior panel, said reel mechanisms being operable to curl portions of sides of said interior panel to accommodate a change in distance between the passenger cars;   curling devices in engagement with said reel mechanisms and being configured to urge said reel mechanisms to curl sides of said interior panel;   at least one connection rod mechanism in engagement with said reel mechanisms and being configured to be operable to support a middle portion of said interior panel; and   connection fixing devices being configured to join said reel mechanisms to the passenger cars.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , in which said reel mechanisms comprise a first reel being positionable in a generally vertical orientation for engagement with the first passenger car, and a second reel being positionable in a generally vertical orientation for engagement with the second passenger car. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 2 , in which said curling devices comprise a first curling device being joined to said first reel and a first end of said connection rod mechanism, and a second curling device being joined to said second reel and a second end of said connection rod mechanism. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 3 , in which said curling devices comprise torsion springs. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 4 , further comprising torsion spring shafts along vertical axis of said reels upon which said torsion springs are disposed. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising at least one roller device being in engagement with said connection rod mechanism and said middle portion of said interior panel for supporting said middle portion. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 6 , in which said roller device comprises a roller, a crank arm having two rotating shafts, and a roller bracket, a first of said rotating shafts being in engagement with said roller bracket, a second of said rotating shafts being in engagement with a midpoint of said connection rod mechanism. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 7 , further comprising a guide device being joined to said internal panel in which said roller device rolls. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 8 , in which said guide device comprises a guide rail. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 6 , further comprising an additional connection rod mechanism in engagement with said reel mechanisms, and an additional roller device. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 10 , in which each of said connection rod mechanisms comprises at least two scissor-shaped connection rods. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 11 , in which said midpoint of said connection rod mechanism comprises a link point. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 2 , in which said connection fixing devices rotatably join said reel mechanisms to the passenger cars. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 13 , in which said connection fixing devices comprises brackets and a pin forming a hinge. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 2 , in which a middle portion of said internal panel is rigid and side portions engaging said reels are flexible. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 2 , in which said reels comprise a sub-circular shape. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , in which the passenger cars are railcars. 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus comprising:
 means for covering a portion of a side of a gangway between at least a first railcar and a second railcar;   means for curling portions of sides of said covering means to accommodate a change in distance between the railcars;   means for urging said reel mechanisms to curl sides of said covering means;   means, in engagement with said curling means, for supporting a middle portion of said covering means; and   means for joining said curling means to the railcars.   
     
     
         19 . An apparatus comprising:
 an interior panel being configured to at least cover a portion of a side of a gangway between at least a first railcar and a second railcar;   two reel mechanisms, each joined to a side of said interior panel, said reel mechanisms being operable to curl portions of sides of said interior panel to accommodate a change in distance between the railcars;   at least four curling devices in engagement with said reel mechanisms and being configured to urge said reel mechanisms to curl sides of said interior panel;   at least two connection rod mechanism in engagement with said reel mechanisms and being configured to be operable to support a middle portion of said interior panel; and   top and bottom connection fixing devices being configured to join said reel mechanisms to the railcars.   
     
     
         20 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 19 , in which a middle portion of said internal panel is rigid and side portions engaging said reels are flexible, in which a first of said reel mechanisms comprises a first reel having a sub-circular shape and being positionable in a generally vertical orientation for engagement with the first railcar, and a second of said reel mechanisms comprises a second reel having a sub-circular shape and being positionable in a generally vertical orientation for engagement with the second railcar, in which each of said curling devices comprise a torsion spring being joined to a one of said reels and to an end of one of said connection rod mechanisms, in which each of said connection rod mechanisms comprises at least two scissor-shaped connection rods, in which said connection fixing devices comprise brackets and a pins forming hinges, the apparatus further comprising torsion spring shafts along vertical axis of said reels upon which said torsion springs are disposed, the apparatus further comprising at least two roller device being in engagement with said connection rod mechanisms and said middle portion of said interior panel for supporting said middle portion in which each of said roller devices comprises a roller, a crank arm having two rotating shafts, and a roller bracket, a first of said rotating shafts being in engagement with said roller bracket, a second of said rotating shafts being in engagement with a middle link point of a one of said connection rod mechanism, the apparatus further comprising at least one guide rail being joined to said internal panel in which said roller devices roll.