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Abstract

A pivot plate assembly for supporting vehicles over the articulation between pivotably interconnected railway car units, and allowing rolling transport of vehicles from one railway car unit to the next. Platforms are pivotably attached to respective railway car units adjacent their interconnected ends. A vehicle has its front end portion secured to one of the pivotal platforms and its rear end portion secured to the other platform while the platforms are oriented collinearly with respect to one another. The vehicle thereby maintains the pivotal platforms collinear with one another as the railway car units pivot with respect to one another. Accordingly, the pivotal platforms remain substantially stationary with respect to the vehicle supported thereon throughout pivotal movement of the railway car units to stably support the vehicle straddling the articulation between pivotably interconnected railway car units during transport. Bridge plates are slidably engaged to both of the railway car units and span the pair of pivotal platforms to allow rolling transport of vehicles over the articulation from one railway car unit to the next. Each of the pivotal platforms and bridge plates may comprise one or more molded polymeric structures having a ribbed bottom surface to provide light weight, high strength, and durability. Blocks or coatings of low-friction materials may be provided on the platforms and/or bridge plates to improve performance and reduce wear. To this end, low-friction blocks may be integrally molded into the lower surfaces of the platforms.

First Claim