Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The present subject matter is related, in general to deployment and retractment system that deploys rotating flaps and sliding steps from a railway train as it reaches a platform in spanning any gap spacing between the railway train and a station platform where the railway train stops, and retracts upon railway train leaving the platform.

BACKGROUND
[002] India has the fourth largest railway network in the world with over 22,593 operating trains and 126,366 km (78,520 mi) train tracks. The railway trains are a popular mode of transportation for well over a century. In the course of its travel, a railway train stops at various train stations to pick up and discharge passengers and/or cargo. The railway train enters a train station and moves into adjacent proximity with a station platform, aligning at least one of its sides with the station platform’s edge. Invariably, there is a gap between the side of the railway train car and the edge of the station platform. It is observed that these gaps are quite big, with their width being at least 1 feet. This is more than enough for a passenger that is boarding/de-boarding the railway train to accidentally fall partially or entirely into the gap. As on today, on an average, approximately 40 people die daily due to train related accidents. Many of them occur due to people getting trapped in between the gaps of railways and platforms while boarding / off boarding a train, and getting run over by trains. The danger is especially great with respect to elderly, handicapped, and young passengers.

[003] As a result, various solutions have been proposed to avoid any accidents such as (a) communication from railway authorities to passengers in terms of hoardings or printed messages on train station informing passengers to be careful of the platform gap at the time of boarding/de-boarding railway trains while it is moving; (b) conductor announcements are being made on the trains to alert the exiting passengers; (c) colouring the platform edge in a different colour as a warning sign (d) railroad tracks are being moved closer to the platform in the areas where the gaps are more prevalent. However, the gaps are still not eliminated. (e) there are some prior arts which discloses outward projection of a plank like structure from the platform as the train moves into proximity with the platform on its approach.

[004] The present invention is aimed at providing a solution that is to develop a physical barrier over the gap between railway train and platform, to avoid human getting trapped in this gap. This will ensure no trapping of passenger in between platform and train. The present invention results in reducing or even preventing accidents, save valuable human lives, to prevent the loss of railway wealth in terms of compensation and legal terms, to save the time of each passenger that boards the train, as accidents in the station cause delays in the timings of trains.

[005] The claimed invention contains a deployment and retractment system that automatically (a) deploys rotating flaps and sliding steps from a railway train as it reaches a platform in spanning any gap spacing between the railway train and a station platform where the railway train stops, and (b) retracts rotating flaps and sliding steps upon railroad car leaving the platform. The said deployment and retractment system can be fit onto existing trains.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

[006] Figure.1 illustrates an aerial view helpful in an understanding of one embodiment of the invention in which the deployment and retractment system that results in a (a) rotating flaps deploying out from the train to the station platform from the side of the railway train facing the railway platform apart from the area forming part of the doors and (b) sliding steps deploying out from the area of the doors;

[007] Figure.2 illustrates pictorial views helpful in an understanding of functioning of the deployment and retractment system that deploys and retracts rotating flaps and sliding steps;

[008] Figure.3 illustrates the process/functionality of deployment and retractment system that deploys and retracts (a) rotating flaps from the side of the railway train facing the railway platform apart from the doors and (b) sliding steps from the area of the doors;

[009] Figure 4 illustrates pictorial views of when the rotating flaps and sliding steps have been deployed from the railway train;

[010] Figure 5 illustrates a side pictorial view of when the rotating flaps and sliding steps have been deployed from the railway train.

[011] It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any diagrams herein represent conceptual views of illustrative systems embodying the principles of the present subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[012] In the present document, the word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any embodiment or implementation of the present subject matter described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.

[013] While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail below. It should be understood, however that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the spirit and the scope of the disclosure.

[014] The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a setup, device or method that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or device or method. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or method.

[015] In the following detailed description of the embodiments of the disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

[016] In Figure 1, the railway train doors are shown at 101, the rotating flap is shown at 102 and the sliding steps is shown at 103. The Platform is shown as 104 and the platform gap spacing is shown at 105. The rotating flaps 102 which will extend once the railway train arrives at the platform, i.e., when the railway train moves into adjacent proximity with a station platform, aligning at least one of its sides with the station platform’s edge. The rotating flaps 102 will cover the gaps between the platform and the train, stopping people from getting into these gaps and saving their lives. Along with the rotating flaps 102, there will be sliding steps 103 which would extend from the doors, once the railway train arrives at the platform, allowing easy and safe boarding of the train. Both the sliding steps 103 and the rotating flaps 102 would be mechanically driven and contain sensors which would allow extension of flaps at reaching the platform and retraction of them when the train leaves the platform. The sliding steps 103 and rotating flaps 102 can be composed of any appropriate material to support the weight of the boarding and/or departing passengers.

[017] Figure.2 illustrates pictorial views helpful in an understanding of functioning of the deployment and retractment system that deploys (a) rotating flaps from the side of the railway train facing the railway platform apart from the doors and (b) sliding steps from the area of the doors. In Fig 2, the railway doors are shown at 101, the sliding steps are shown as 103. For deploying of sliding steps 103 and rotating flaps 102, an appropriate electric motor 201 including induction motor, coupled with the shaft on the switch (via sprockets or gears), could be used. For retracting of deploying of sliding steps and rotating flaps once the railway train leaves the platform, a spring tension can be employed.

[018] Figure.3 illustrates the process/functionality of deployment and retractment system 301. The deployment and retractment system 301 consist of various subsystems such as:
a. Mechanical system: This system may include rack and pinion type gear box, bevel gear box, fulcrum mechanism, etc.
b. Electrical system: This system may include various type of motors (Induction motors), coupled with shaft on the switch (via sprockets or gears), connectors lights wiring harness switches, etc.
c. Communication system: This system may include satellite communication, SIM communication, sensor communication, hard wire communication, etc.
[019] The deployment and retractment system 301 will first confirm the estimated time of the railway train for reaching the platform by using a satellite communication system 302. The satellite communication system 302 comprises of softwares such as Map India/ Google Map/ Navic / Indian Rail communication system or any other software that can be used to trace live position of the railway train. As the railway train approaches a station, the satellite communication system 302 will provide input to the deployment and retractment system 301. At a certain distance before the railway train arrives at the platform, which shall be entered into in the deployment and retractment system 301 as an input, the deployment and retractment system 301 signals an automatic sensor 303 such as ultra-sonic sensors. The automatic sensors 303 will also be used to check position of train engine from platform and are integrated with the deployment and retractment system 301.
[020] As soon as the train engine of the railway train is within a fixed distance from the station, for instance 100 meters, the deployment and retractment system 301 will send a trigger/output signal to the Electro Mechanical system 304 to deploy the rotating flaps 102. The Electro Mechanical system 304 comprises of mechanical devices such as electric motor, flap rotation gears, motor, sliding gear rack induction motor, coupled with the shaft on the switch, pinion and its motors. All the mechanical devices in the Electro Mechanical system 304 will function based on electrical signals received via the Electrical Communication system 305. The Electrical communication system 305 comprises of PCB, hard wires, lights, sensors, which will work as input and output signal to and back forth from deployment and retractment system 301.
[021] During deploying of rotating flaps 102, the Electro Mechanical system 304 may use an appropriate electric motor 201 including flap rotation gears, motor, sliding gear Rack and pinion induction motor, coupled with the shaft on the switch (via sprockets or gears). As one by one railway train bogey/compartment reaches the platform, the rotating flaps will start opening.

[022] The Photo electric sensors 306 attached to the rotating flaps mounted on railway train car and will be used to confirm whether rotating flap 102 are fully employed. The Photo electric sensors 306 will provide reverse signals through the Electro Mechanical system 304, which will be processed by the deployment and retractment system 301 and the dashboard will display the success of the deployment of rotating flaps 102. If the expected output is delivered and/or all rotating flaps 102 are in place catching the platform, then the sliding stairs 103 are then deployed.
[023] The deployment and retractment system 301 then gives visual signals and audio signals that will invite and allow the passenger to get into the railway train. Simultaneously or soon thereafter, railway doors will open passenger can come in or out of train.
[024] When the railway train is ready to leave the platform, all audio and visual signals will be activated, and passengers will be made alert as soon as the green signal is available for railway train to leave the platform.
[025] After a specified time post the railway train leaving the station, Photo electric sensors 306 connected to the rotating flaps 102 will detect for objects interference in motion path of rotating flaps 102 and sliding stairs 103. In case an object interferes with the motion path or come within the motion path of the rotating flaps and sliding stairs 103, the flap/stairs hooter alarms and visual signals will go off alerting the passengers. A signal will also be sent off the dashboard informing the driver of the railway car.
[026] In case the path is clear, the deployment and retractment system 301 signals the Electro Mechanical system 304 to retract the sliding steps 103 and rotating flaps 102 once the railway train leaves the platform. For retracting the sliding steps and rotating flaps 102, a spring tension can be employed. These functions will be executed through the use of electromechanics and software stelematics. When the railway train has left the platform, the Photo electric sensors 306 will confirm whether the rotating flaps 102 will be restored towards original position. Finally, all data from the Photo electric sensors 306 will be communicated through the Electrical communication system 305 to the deployment and retractment system 301, which will then display to the dashboard that function is successfully completed
[027] Figure 4 illustrates pictorial views of when the rotating flaps and sliding steps have been deployed from the railway train. In Figure 4, the sliding steps 103 and rotating flaps 102 are fit onto existing trains. The length of the rotating flaps may be 10 feet, i.e. they would cover the area around the entry doors on either side till 10 feet.

[0028] Figure 5 illustrates a side pictorial view of when the rotating flaps and sliding steps have been deployed from the railway train.

[0029] Various exemplary embodiments of the present system are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, the deployment and retractment system 301, comprising of: mechanical system, electrical system, communication system, is configured to perform deployment and retractment of sliding stairs and rotating flaps from a railway train as it reaches a platform in spanning any gap spacing between the railway train and a station platform where the railway train stops at the platform, and retracts upon railway train leaving the platform.

[030] In another exemplary embodiment, the deployment and retractment system 301 configured to perform deployment of sliding stairs and rotating flaps, comprising: one or more processors; one or more hardware-based memory devices storing executable instructions which, when executed by the one or more processors, causing the deployment and retractment system 301 to perform deployment of sliding stairs and rotating flaps from a railway train as it reaches a platform in spanning any gap spacing between the railway train and a station platform where the railway train stops, and retractment of sliding stairs and rotating flaps upon railway train leaving the platform

[031] In another exemplary embodiment, the method of deployment and retractment of sliding stairs and rotating flaps, comprising: mechanical system, electrical system, communication system, is configured to perform deployment and retractment of sliding stairs and rotating flaps from a railway train as it reaches a platform in spanning any gap spacing between the railway train and a station platform where the railway train stops at the platform, and retracts upon railway train leaving the platform.

[032] As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, it is but a simple matter to retrofit existing trains to implement the teachings of the invention. The engineer and/or conductor activators for the doors are already in place. The gap covering plates (of whatever material selected) can be manufactured on a moment's notice. The integration of the deployment and retractment system 301 with the other systems such as satellite communication system 302, automatic sensor such as ultra-sonic sensors 303, electro mechanical system 304, Electrical communication system 305, Photo electric sensors 306, can be implemented and installed just as easily.

[033] Whether the teachings of the invention and its embodiments are incorporated as part of a railroad system, the same would result in saving of lives as there is no likelihood of someone falling in the gaps between the railway train and platform.

[034] While there has been described what are considered to be preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the teachings herein. For at least such reason, therefore, resort should be had to the claims appended hereto for a true understanding of the invention.

[035] A description of an embodiment with several components in communication with each other does not imply that all such components are required. On the contrary a variety of optional components are described to illustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the invention. When a single system or device or article is described herein, it will be readily apparent that more than one device/article (whether or not they cooperate) may be used in place of a single device/article. Similarly, where more than one device or article is described herein (whether or not they cooperate), it will be readily apparent that a single system or device/article may be used in place of the more than one device or article, or a different number of devices/articles may be used instead of the shown number of devices or programs.

[036] The functionality and/or the features of a device may be alternatively embodied by one or more other devices which are not explicitly described as having such functionality/features. Thus, other embodiments of the invention need not include the device itself.

[037] The language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and it may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter. It is therefore intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description.

[038] While specific language has been used to describe the disclosure, any limitations arising on account of the same are not intended. As would be apparent to a person in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein. The figures and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. For example, orders of processes described herein may be changed and are not limited to the manner described herein. Moreover, the actions of any flow diagram need not be implemented in the order shown; nor do all of the acts necessarily need to be performed. Also, those acts that are not dependent on other acts may be performed in parallel with the other acts. The scope of embodiments is by no means limited by these specific examples. Numerous variations, whether explicitly given in the specification or not, such as differences in structure, dimension, and use of material, are possible. The scope of embodiments is at least as broad as given by the following claims.
, C , C , Claims:1. A railroad or subway transportation car having a deployment and retractment system 301 comprising:

Rotating flaps 102 configured for deployment when the railway train is entering the station, from the side of the railway train facing the railway platform apart from the doors, in spanning any gap spacing between the railway train and the platform and retractment of rotating flaps upon the railway train leaving the platform,
Sliding stairs 103 configured for deployment from the area of doors of the railway trains when the railway train has fully halted at the station and retractment of sliding stairs upon the railway train leaving the platform,
Means to deploy and retract the rotating flaps by the Electromechanical system 304 as one by one railway train bogey/compartment reaches or leaves the platform; and means to deploy and retract the sliding stairs once the train completely stops on the platform and leaves the platform

2. A railroad or subway transportation car having a deployment and retractment system 301 as claimed in Claim 1, wherein a Satellite communication system 302 is used to confirm the estimate time of the railway train for reaching the platform;

3. A railroad or subway transportation car having a deployment and retractment system 301 as claimed in Claim 1, wherein an Ultra-sonic sensors 303 to check position of railway train engine from platform;

4. A railroad or subway transportation car having a deployment and retractment system 301 as claimed in Claim 1, wherein Electromechanical system 304 comprises of electric motor or flap rotation gears, motor, sliding gear Rack and pinion induction motor, coupled with the shaft on the switch (via sprockets or gears), for deployment of sliding steps and rotating flaps.

5. A railroad or subway transportation car having a deployment and retractment system 301 as claimed in Claim 1, wherein Electromechanical system 304 comprises of spring tension for retracting of sliding steps and rotating flaps once the railway train leaves the platform.

6. A railroad or subway transportation car having a deployment and retractment system 301 as claimed in Claim 1, wherein Photo electric sensors 306 are attached to the rotating flaps mounted on train car, to confirm whether rotating flap and sliding stairs are fully employed upon reaching the platform; and lifted/ restored towards original position when the railway train has left the platform.

7. A railroad or subway transportation car having a deployment and retractment system 301 as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the rotating flaps 102 is hinged to a side surface of said transportation car to drop downwardly therefrom and be lifted upwardly thereto.

8. A railroad or subway transportation car having a deployment and retractment system 301 as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the sliding steps 103 are deployed in response to the opening of said doors and for sliding steps 103 to retract or move rearwardly in response to the closing of said doors.

9. A railroad or subway transportation car having a deployment and retractment system 301 as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the sliding stairs 103 and rotating flaps 102 can be composed of any appropriate material to support the weight of the boarding and/or departing passengers.

10. A method of deployment of sliding stairs 103 from the area of doors of the railway train and rotating flaps 102 from the side of the railway train facing the railway platform apart from the doors, in spanning any gap spacing between the railway train and the platform, and retractment of sliding stairs 103 and rotating flaps 102 upon the railway train leaving the platform, comprising:

confirming the estimate time of the railway train for reaching the platform by the Satellite communication system;
checking the position of railway train engine from platform by the ultra sonic sensors 303;
sending a trigger/output signal to the Electro Mechanical system 304 to deploy the rotating flaps as soon as train engine is within a fixed distance from the station
deploying of rotating flaps by the Electro Mechanical system 304 comprising of appropriate electric motor, flap rotation gears, motor, sliding gear Rack and pinion induction motor, coupled with the shaft on the switch.
deploying of rotating flaps stairs from below car towards platform. Once the train completely stops on the platform.
checking whether rotating flap and sliding stairs are fully employed by the Photo electric sensors 306 attached to the rotating flaps mounted on train car.
opening of railway doors so that passenger can come in or out of train
detection of objects interference in motion path of rotating flaps 102 and sliding stairs by the Photo electric sensors 306 connected to the rotating flaps 102
retracting of the sliding steps 103 and rotating flaps 102 once the railway train leaves the platform by the Electro Mechanical system 304 in case the path is clear,
confirming whether the rotating flaps will be restored towards original position the Photo electric sensors 306.