Importance

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Abstract

An intermodal system for moving highway semi-trailers by rail transportation. With the system of the present invention, trailers of any length are carried on a plurality of rail bogies such that one end of the semi-trailer is carried by one rail bogie and the other end of the semi-trailer is carried by another rail bogie. Each rail bogie has a frame structure supported on spaced-apart, wheeled axles. The frame structure defines a central drop deck section having a stationary, longitudinally extended, planar platform. Each rail bogie further includes a trailer securement system. The trailer securement system includes a chock assembly for facilitating trailer loading through simultaneous rotational movement of the semi-trailer's wheels through an arc on the platform and translatory movement of the wheels along a predetermined longitudinal path on the platform. The chock assembly includes a transversely spaced pair of joined chock blocks normally arranged on one side of the semi-trailer's wheels. Each of those chock blocks includes apparatus for securing the chock blocks relative to the platform. The chock assembly further includes an apparatus for positioning the chock assembly on the platform. The securement system includes at least two other separate and independent chock blocks each of which include apparatus for securing each of those chock blocks relative to the platform on an opposite side of the semi-trailer's wheels. The present invention further presents a method for forming a consist comprising a highway semi-trailer supported between first and second rail bogies.

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First Claim