AU2005203030A1 - Apparatus for Transporting Containers by Rail - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 CRT Group Pty Ltd COMPLETE SPECIFCATION Invention Title.- Apparatus for Transporting Containers by Rail The invention is described in the following statement: m:\specifications\500000\503000\503549capreodoc t 2 c Apparatus for Transporting Containers by Rail N, Field of the Invention This invention relates to apparatus for transporting containers and the like by rail, more particularly to a frame assembly for transporting containers of varying sizes by rail.

Background to the Invention SMany types of containers are used in freight transport which is partly due to historical reasons and partly due to the fact that there are many different container transport tasks. Such tasks take account of the container length, height and weight and also the route limitations in terms of the maximum permissible rolling stock outlines and the maximum axle load/speed combinations.

Conventionally there are three basic container specifications. A first container specification, colloquially known as "heavies", are usually short and low having ISO dimensions of twenty feet by eight feet six inches. A second container specification is termed "generals" and are carried on nominal sixty foot long conventional wagons.

The third container specification is termed colloquially "hi cubes", which are long and high and typically have specifications up to fifty-three feet in length and ten feet six inches in height. This convention for the basic container specifications is likely to continue for some time.

Given the diversity of container loading, it follows that there are three wagon types to match these conditions. These being the forty foot nominal length two slot flat wagon, the sixty foot long three slot wagon and articulated wagons. Each is reasonably suited to its intended task but none are suited on its own as a general container carrier.

In all cases the container tie down points are set out at twenty feet and forty feet lengths. Containers having a length greater than forty feet have tie down points at forty feet locations suitably positioned to accommodate connections on the wagons. As the platform lengths and tie down points are fixed relative to each other there is very little flexibility to enable the efficient loading of containers with length combinations other than those that match the platform length.

Loading deficiencies such as wasted space or under-utilised axle load are inevitable which leads to poor asset utilisation. This means that wagons of different types are needed to meet demands of a variety of containers. In addition, operational difficulties arise in having the correct wagons at the right time and place.

N Articulated wagons are extensively used for the transport of containers, often using shared bogies. These are of a fixed platform and fixed spacing of container N connection points. They therefore continue to suffer from the problems associated with conventional container wagons. The loading of containers of varying weights further complicates the loading pattern as the weight of the first container loaded presents a complex calculation of permissible weights for other containers to be loaded. In practice, a simplified loading pattern is performed on the wagon which represents only Oa few of the possible permutations and normally leads to further under utilisation of the platform of the wagon. The complexity of loading also leads to the chance of large gaps between containers which has an adverse affect on fuel consumption when the N train is in motion at high speed.

German Patent Application Nos 4424862 and 19503908 disclose systems for transporting exchangeable containers by rail. Exchangeable containers are also known as "swap bodies". Swap bodies generally do not have bottom supports located at the ends of the body and have supporting legs that fold inwardly underneath the body. In the '908 patent application a mounting frame 3 has carrying arms 5 that cater for the in board support points on the bottom of the swap bodies. Support spigots 6 on the arms are distanced from the centre line of the bogie 3 which creates a bending moment when the frame is loaded with a container. This is particularly exacerbated when the swap bodies have their connection points located at the furthest spigot 6 creating the greatest difference in distance from the end of spigot to the centre line of the bogie. A downwards bending moment is induced in the frame tending to bend the frame downwards in the middle thus creating tension stresses on the bottom of the frame and compressive stresses on the top of the frame.

In Patent Application No 19503908 there is a further bending moment induced in the frame by virtue of the bending arm designated by reference 12 creating a vertical height difference between the centre line of the frame and the point at which the longitudinal forces are transmitted into the bogie frame. Thus when the train based on this patent application is decelerating, especially under heavy braking, a further downwards bending moment is induced in the frame.

In Patent Application No 4,424,862 adjacent exchangeable containers have their ends mounted on the same bogie and whereby two mounting platforms 3 are provided on each bogie. The mounting platforms 3 rest independently from one another and are rotatably supported on turntables. As the mounting platforms are not directly joined to one another and as a consequence of the exchangeable bodies not having their mountings at or near the ends of the bodies, the connection points are located a distance away from the centre line of the bogie and thereby induce bending moments in the Zoverall frame and have the same disadvantages as with Patent Application No 19503908.

Furthermore both German patent applications describe inventions whereby different length containers can be accommodated through the use of an adjustable length telescopic beam. However both patent applications disclose such a beam that is extendable in one stage only. Thus regardless of the positioning of the sliding potion in the middle of the beam, the frame can only carry containers either in the closed position or in the extended position, that is two different sized containers. There is no possibility that the beam can be extended to carry containers of varying length such as twenty feet, thirty feet, forty feet or even forty-five feet in length. Furthermore there is no provision in both applications to stop flogging which is sideways movement of the beam when the train is travelling at high speed.

The present invention seeks to overcome one or more of the above mentioned disadvantages by providing a system for transporting cargo, typically in the form of containers, by rail that enables a plurality of different sized length containers to be carried on a single frame, that substantially reduces bending moments and substantially reduces flogging.

Summary of the Invention According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a frame assembly for transporting a container by rail, the frame assembly being connected to a pair of bogies and comprising: receiving means for receiving the container to affix the container to the frame assembly; adjusting means for adjusting the length of the frame assembly so as to transport containers of different lengths, the adjusting means connected to the receiving means; wherein the adjusting means comprises a series of telescoping portions to enable the adjusting means to extend and retract to fit the container to the frame assembly such that no portion of the container exceeds an end of the frame assembly.

The receiving means may comprise a pair of transverse beams, each of the beams connected transversely across one of the bogies. Adjacent each end of each beam there may be a means for connection to the under side of the container to secure the container to each beam, for example twist locks. The adjustment means may have two ends, each of which is connected to a respective transverse beam.

Each transverse beam is preferably located adjacent the transverse centreline of the respective bogie in order to minimise bending moments in the frame assembly Nwhen the frame assembly progresses through a turn or negotiates an incline on the railway track.

Each of the portions in the telescoping portions may have stopping means, in the form of projections, to provide maximum extension and retraction displacement of the portions so that a maximum extension displacement is set as well as a maximum retraction displacement.

At a maximum extension displacement of any one of the portions of the telescoping portions, there may be aperture means co-located between two of the N portions such that a locking means may protrude through the aperture means in order to secure the two portions of the telescoping portions.

Preferably the telescoping portions comprises three portions such that a third portion extends and retracts within a second portion and the second portion extends and retracts within a first portion. The first portion may have a first set of projections located adjacent a first end thereof for interacting with a first set of projections located at a first end of the second portion, such that a maximum retraction displacement is set of the second portion within the first portion by contact of the respective first sets of projections. The first portion may have a second set of projections located adjacent a second end thereof for interacting with the first set of projections of the second portion, such that a maximum extension displacement is set of the second portion within the first portion by contact between the second set of projections of the first portion and the first set of projections of the second portion.

Preferably the second portion has a second set of projections located adjacent the first end thereof for interacting with a first set of projections located at a first end of the third portion, such that a maximum retraction displacement is set of the third portion within the second portion by contact of the second set of projections of the second portion and the first set of projections of third portion. Preferably the second portion has a third set of projections adjacent a second end thereof for interacting with the first set of projections of the third portion, such that a maximum extension displacement is set of the third portion within the second portion by contact between the third set of projections of the second portion and the first set of projections of the third portion.

The first and second sets of projections of the first portion may be formed on a flange or a web extending from the first portion. The first set of projections of the second portion may extend from a flange or a web of the second portion. The second and third sets of projections of the second portion may extend from the web of the second portion. The set of projections of the third portion may extend from a flange of ,I the third portion.

When the second portion is in a fully extended position, aperture means in the second portion may co-align with aperture means in the first portion to enable a first locking means to extend therethrough. The aperture means of the first portion is preferably formed in the web of the first portion. The aperture means of the second portion is preferably formed in the web of the second portion.

Similarly when the third portion is in a fully extended position, aperture means in the third portion may co-align with a second aperture means in the second portion to enable a second locking means to extend therethrough. The second aperture means of the second portion is preferably formed in the web of the second portion. The aperture means of the third portion is preferably formed in the flange of the third portion.

In order to extend or retract the telescoping portions a locomotive is used to move one of the bogies. The process of extending the third portion from the second portion or the second portion from the first portion may initially involve applying a manual parking brake on the bogie, preferably the bogie furthest from the locomotive, so as to lock the wheels of the bogie and prevent it from moving, then exhausting the air pressure from air brake pipe glands.

The locking means may initially be extending through the respective aperture means to lock adjacent portions of the telescoping portions and kept in such a position by deformable means such as a spring. In order to release the locking means, air may be applied to a cylinder containing the spring so as to compress the spring thereby releasing the locking means from the aperture means, enabling the extension of either the second or third portions. Thus when the third portion is fully extended within the second portion a locking pin secures both these portions through respective apertures.

Similarly when the second portion is fully extended within the first portion, a locking pin secures both these portions through respective apertures.

Thereafter, the locomotive moves slowly to preferably extend the relevant portion to a maximum displacement allowed by the stopping means of the relevant portions. Air is then exhausted from the locking means cylinder(s) so as to allow the spring to expand and position the locking means in the aperture means and thereby lock the relevant portions together. Thereafter the parking brake is manually released in order to free the bogie wheels, and air pressure is re-applied to the air brake pipe glands.

In order to retract the frame assembly, the manual parking brake on the bogie Zfurthest from the locomotive is applied in order to lock the wheels of the bogie. Then, preferably air is applied to the cylinder housing the spring that keeps the locking means positioned in the apertures between the adjacent telescopic portions, in order to release the locking means. The glands of the air brake pipes are then exhausted and the locomotive slowly pushes the relevant portion of the telescopic portions to retract the portion to the maximum displacement allowed by the various stopping means. Air is Sthen preferably exhausted from the cylinder housing the spring in order to reapply the locking means through the respective apertures. Thereafter the manual parking brake on the bogie is released and pressure restored to the air brake pipe glands.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of fitting one of a number of containers that vary in length to a frame assembly for transport by rail, the frame assembly being connected to a pair of bogies and having adjustment means comprising a series of telescoping portions, the method comprising the steps of: adjusting the length of the frame assembly by retracting or extending the adjustment means so as to match the length of the container; and securing the container to the frame assembly.

The step of adjusting may comprise using stopping means located on the telescoping portions that provide a maximum displacement of extension or retraction of any of the telescoping portions.

The step of adjusting may further comprise locking any two adjacent portions of the telescoping portions using a locking means that protrudes through a part of the respective portions.

Brief Description of the Drawings Preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings wherein: Figures 1 a, b and c respectively show plan, side and end views of an extendable frame assembly shown in a position for carrying a twenty foot container; Figures 2a, b and c respectively show plan, side and end views of the extendable frame assembly of Figure 1 shown in a position for carrying a thirty foot container; Figures 3a, b and c respectively show plan, side and end views of the extendable frame assembly of Figure 1 shown in a position for carrying a forty foot container; Figures 4a and b show respectively side and plan views of the extendable frame Sassembly shown in a fully extended position; N, Figure 5a shows an enlarged sectional end view of the lower parts of the telescopic beam portions of the frame assembly; Figures 5b and 5c respectively show plan and side views of extended telescopic Cc beam portions and stopping means of the frame assembly; SFigure 6 is an end view of a telescopic beam forming part of the extendable frame assembly and a position of a telescopic air brake pipe, and SFigure 7 shows a cross section of a locking mechanism that affixes portions of the telescopic beam of Figures 5 and 6.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments With reference to each of Figures 1, 2 and 3 there are shown various views of an extendable frame assembly or wagon. The frame assembly shown in Figure 1 is in the unextended position for carrying twenty foot containers, in a first extended position in Figure 2 for carrying thirty foot containers and in a second extended position in Figure 3 for carrying forty foot length containers. The extendable frame assembly 2 comprises a means for receiving a container 3 in the form of a pair of transverse beams 4 and 6 that are respectively connected to bogies 7 and 8. It also comprises an adjustment means in the form of an extendable telescopic beam unit 9 connected to a central portion 10 on bogie 7 and at a central portion 11 on bogie 8. Specifically the container connection points (twist locks) are located at 12 and 13 on beam 4 and at points 14 and 15 on beam 6.

It is to be noted that there are two axles provided for each container that is loaded onto the bogies. As a consequence of the gross mass limitations imposed on container loading, axle loads are not able to exceed that allowed by railway track owners. A feature of the invention is the location of the container connection points being as close as possible to the lateral centre line of each bogie. This minimises the bending moment thrown into the platform structure of the frame assembly by the loading of the container. It significantly reduces the tare weight of the platform structure of the frame assembly and makes it possible to have a variable length frame, that is to match the length of the container being carried. This in turn provides minimal gaps between the containers consistent with the gap that must be provided to negotiate a combination of horizontal and vertical curves in the track and to minimise fuel usage of the train when in motion, particularly at high speeds. Each extension of the frame assembly allows carriage of ten foot high containers within existing rolling stock outlines. Each of the bogies may be of the "swing motion" type, which allows a low bed height and has superior qualities in that it limits the lateral forces on tracks to a marked extent compared with conventional bogies. The containers loaded onto the frames cannot breach the rolling stock outlines laterally during the negotiation of 5 horizontal curves.

O

It is also to be noted that the invention is not limited to carrying containers of these particular length dimensions and any other dimension, such as up to sixty feet length containers, may be transported by the extendable frame system. The invention is also not limited to the use of three portions in the telescopic beam unit.

Referring to Figure 4 there is shown a side view and plan view of the means for extending and retracting the length of the frame 2. The beam unit 9 (see Figure 1) is formed in a telescoping arrangement that contains three portions, being a first portion a second portion 22 that fits within the first portion 20 and a third portion 24 that fits within the second portion 22. As mentioned previously the left end section 26 of the first portion 20 is connected to transverse beam 4 which in turn is attached to the central portion 10 of the bogie 7 and similarly the right hand portion 28 of the third section 24 of the telescoping beam connects to the transverse beam 6 which in turn connects to the central portion 11 of the bogie 8. The first portion 20 has a pair of webs and 31 (see also Figures 5a and 6) projecting from the lower part of the first portion 20. The second portion 22 also has a pair of webs 32 and 33 projecting from the lower part of the second portion 22. The webs 30, 31, 32 and 33 enable stopping means in the form of projections to exactly locate apertures for receiving pins, to be described in relation to Figure 7, so as to securely fasten the first portion to the second portion in an extended position and to securely fasten the second portion to the third portion in an extended position.

With reference to Figure 5 there is shown three views of the projections or positive stops used to exactly locate the apertures for receiving pins in order to lock and secure the telescopic portions 20, 22 and 24. When third portion 24 is fully extended from the second portion 22 a pair of stops 34A and 34B positively interfere or interact with stops 35A and 35B respectively. The stops 34A and 34B are respectively located on a lower side of flange 44 below web 33 of the second portion 22 and on a lower side of flange 45 below web 32 of the second portion 22. The stops 35A and 35B are located on an underside 90 of third portion 24. Thus the stop 35A contacts stop 34A and stop 35B contacts 34B to prevent the third portion 24 from extending any further out of the second portion 22.

When the third portion 24 is fully retracted within the second portion 22 the stops 35A and 35B contact respective stops 38A and 38B (see Figures 5B and 5C), so N, that the third portion 24 cannot retract any further within second portion 22. The stops 38A and 38B are respectively located on a lower side of flange 44 below web 33 of the second portion 22 and on a lower side of flange 45 below web 32 of the second portion Cc 22.

While second portion 22 is fully extended, stops or projections 39A and 39B on second portion 22 respectively interfere with or abut stops 40A and 40B on first portion 3 20. Stop 39A is attached to an upper side of flange 44 of second portion 22 and stop 40A is attached to a lower side of flange 42 of the first portion 20. Stop 39B is attached to an upper side of flange 45 of second portion 22 and stop 40B is attached to a lower side of flange 43 of the first portion 20. Thus the second portion 22 cannot extend any further out of first portion 20 in this position. When the second portion 22 is fully retracted within first portion 20 it cannot retract any further as the stops 39A and 39B respectively abut against stops 41A and stop 41B in first portion 20. Each of the stops 41A and 41B are respectively located on the lower side of flange 42 and on the lower side of flange 43 of first portion When second portion 22 is fully extended out of first portion 20 such that the respective stops 39 and 40 abut, an aperture in web 30 exactly co-aligns with an aperture in web 32 such that a pin can be inserted through each of the apertures in order to affix the second portion 22 to the first portion 20 in the extended position. An additional pin can be inserted through apertures in webs 31 an 33. A dotted line 65 in Figure 5A indicates the central axis of the apertures that can be located on each of portions 20 and 22. Similarly when third portion 24 is fully extended out of the second portion 22, when the stop 35 and 34 respectively abut, an aperture in web 32 is exactly aligned with an aperture in wall 36 (preferably in a lower section of web 32 and wall 36) to enable locking means in the form of a pin to be inserted therethrough in order to affix and lock in position the third portion 24 to the second portion 22. Alternatively, or in addition, the aperture may exist in a lower portion of web 33 and wall 37 of the third portion 24 to fit the pin so as to lock portion 24 to portion 22. A dotted line indicates the central axis of the apertures that can be located on each of portions 24 and 22. Similarly, apertures may also be located in each of the portions 20, 22 and 24 to secure adjacent portions in a retracted position.

All the stops previously described are preferably welded to the respective portions 20, 22 and 24. The position of each of the stops is located accurately after manufacture of each of the portions 20, 22 and 24 and their corresponding flanges and subsequently welded or otherwise affixed to the portions. The positions of the stops also allows easy adjustment and maintenance.

With reference to Figure 6 there is shown in cross section each of the portions 24, 22 and 20 together with respective webs 31, 32, 30 and 33. Sliding bearings 70 are 5 located respectively between first portion 20 and second portion 22 at intermediate O intervals and likewise between second portion 22 and third portion 24 at intermediate intervals. This is to assist in providing a smooth gliding operation when any one of the portions is being extended or retracted.

There is also shown air brake pipes 60 that are telescopic with glands (not shown) pressurised to prevent leaks. The gland can be exhausted by use of a small valve on each gland without losing pressure in the brake pipe(s) itself. This may result in a small air leak during the telescoping of the brake pipe(s) which will be made up by the locomotive compressor as only one wagon at a time will be adjusted for length.

With reference to Figure 7 there is shown a locking means 50 in the form of a pin 52 which is actuated by a resilient means such as a spring 53 inside a cylinder 54.

Specifically the pin 52 is shown protruding through apertures 47 and 51 respectively located in webs 30 and 32, surrounded by hardened bushes 80. As an alternative or in addition, a further pin can protrude through apertures in webs 31 and 33. The pin 52 is held in position by a spring 53 which resides inside cylinder 54 and extends from a top side 55 of cylinder 54 to a plate or head 56. By applying air through an air line (not shown)spudded into the cylinder 54 at an inboard side of piston 58 in the cylinder 54 this air compresses spring 53 against top side 55 which retracts pin 52 from at least aperture 51 thereby releasing pin 52. The air line spudded into the cylinder 54 is connected by small air lines to a manually operated valve located on the flanges of the portions 20 and 22. A valve can be positioned on both sides of the portions 20 and 22 on the flanges so that operation of the extension and retraction of the locking pin 52 can occur from either side of the beam unit 9. By retracting or exhausting the air the spring 53 goes from a compression state to an extended state in order to keep the pin 52 in apertures 47 and 51 and thereby lock the first portion 20 to the second portion 22. A similar arrangement is used for locking second portion 22 to third portion 24 between web 32 and wall 36 and/or between web 33 and wall 37.

In order to extend and retract the frame assembly generally a locomotive is used to pull or push the frame assembly in the desired direction. In order to extend the frame assembly a manually operated parking brake on the bogie furthest from the attached locomotive is applied, thus locking the wheels, and air pressure is released from the glands on the telescopic air brake pipe. Then air from the air brake pipe is applied to the cylinder 54 in order to retract the locking pins, that is locking pin 52 between second portion 22 and first portion 20 (to accommodate thirty foot containers) N and similarly to release the locking pin between portions 24 and 22 in order to extend portion 24 (to accommodate greater length containers up to forty feet).

The locomotive then pulls forward slowly until the movement is limited by the positive stops previously described. Following this, air is exhausted from the locking pin actuating cylinders which, under spring action, will apply the locking pins to lock the various portions together. Thereafter the manually operated parking brake is V released to restore the "run" position, that is to free the bogie wheels, and air pressure is restored to the air brake pipe glands.

In order to retract or shorten the frame assembly, the manually operated parking brake furthest from the operating locomotive is applied to lock the wheel bogies. Air is applied to the locking pin cylinder 54 in order to release the locking pins. The air brake pipe glands are then exhausted and the locomotive will push back slowly to retract the frame assembly until the positive stops engage and the locking pin cylinders are exhausted of air and engage. Thereafter the manually operated parking brake is released to restore the "run" position and the air brake pipe glands are pressurised.

The same principle can be applied to provide a wagon that can carry 40 foot, 48 foot and 53 foot long containers.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims (33)

1. A frame assembly for transporting a container by rail, the frame assembly being connected to a pair of bogies and comprising: receiving means for receiving the container to affix the container to the frame assembly; adjusting means for adjusting the length of the frame assembly so as to transport Scontainers of differing lengths, the adjusting means connected to the receiving means; wherein the adjusting means is a telescoping beam unit comprising a series of atelescoping portions to enable extension and retraction of the frame assembly to fit the container to the frame assembly.

2. A frame assembly according to claim 1 wherein no portion of the container exceeds an end of the frame assembly.

3. A frame assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the receiving means comprises a pair of beams, each beam connected transversely across a respective bogie of the pair of bogies.

4. A frame assembly according to claim 3 wherein adjacent each end of the beams is a connector for connection to the underside of the container in order to secure the container to each beam.

A frame assembly according to claim 3 or claim 4 wherein each beam of the pair of beams is located adjacent the transverse centreline of the respective bogie in order to minimise bending moments in the frame assembly when the frame assembly progresses through a turn or an incline of a railway track.

6. A frame assembly according to any one of the previous claims wherein each of the telescoping portions have stopping means to enable a maximum extension or retraction of one portion within an adjacent portion.

7. A frame assembly according to claim 6 such that when a portion is at a maximum extension, an aperture in each of the extended portion and the adjacent portion are co-aligned to enable a locking means to protrude through each aperture so as to secure the respective portions of the telescoping portions.

8. A frame assembly according to claim 6 such that when a portion is at a maximum retraction, an aperture in each of the retracted portion and the adjacent portion are co-aligned to enable a locking means to protrude through each aperture so as to secure the respective portions of the telescoping portions.

9. A frame assembly according to claim 7 or claim 8 wherein the locking means is kept in a locking position, whereby the respective portions are secured to one another, by deformable means housed within a locking means cylinder.

10. A frame assembly according to claim 9 wherein air is exhausted from the N cylinder to enable the deformable means to extend so as to keep the locking means in the locking position.

11. A frame assembly according to claim 9 or claim 10 wherein in order to release the locking means air is applied to the cylinder to compress the deformable means and thereby release the locking means.

12. A frame assembly according to claim 11 wherein the telescoping portions comprises three portions such that a third portion extends and retracts within a second portion and the second portion extends and retracts within a first portion.

13. A frame assembly according to claim 12 wherein the first portion has stopping means in the form of first and second sets of projections, the second portion has stopping means in the form of first, second and third sets of projections and the third portion has stopping means in the form of a set of projections.

14. A frame assembly according to claim 13 wherein the first set of projections of the first portion are located adjacent a first end of the first portion and interact with the first set of projections of the second portion located adjacent a first end of the second portion, the interaction defining a maximum retraction displacement of the second portion within the first portion.

A frame assembly according to claim 14 wherein the second set of projections of the first portion are located adjacent a second end of the first portion and interact with the first set of projections of the second portion, the interaction defining a maximum extension displacement of the second portion within the first portion.

16. A frame assembly according to claim 15 wherein the second set of projections Sof the second portion are located adjacent the first end of the second portion and interact with the set of projections of the third portion, the interaction defining a maximum retraction displacement of the third portion within the second portion.

17. A frame assembly according to claim 16 wherein the third set of projections of the second portion are located adjacent a second end of the second portion and interact with the set of projections of the third portion, the interaction defining a maximum extension displacement of the third portion within the second portion.

18. A frame assembly according to any one of the claims 12 to 17 wherein one or more air brake pipes extend along the telescoping beam unit.

19. A frame assembly according to claim 18 wherein each air brake pipe is telescoping and has air brake pipe glands.

A frame assembly according to claim 19 wherein in order to extend the frame assembly a manual parking brake is applied on one of the bogies so as to lock the wheels of the bogie to prevent the bogie from moving, pressurized air in each gland is exhausted, air is applied to the respective locking means cylinder to release the locking means, the relevant portion is extended, air is exhausted from the cylinder to allow the deformable means to expand and place the locking means in the locking position, thereafter the manual parking brake is released to free the bogie wheels and air pressure is re-applied to each gland.

21. A frame assembly according to claim 19 wherein in order to retract the frame assembly a manual parking brake is applied on one of the bogies so as to lock the wheels of the bogie to prevent the bogie from moving, air is applied to the respective locking means cylinder to release the locking means, pressurized air in each gland is exhausted, the relevant portion is retracted, the cylinder air is exhausted to reapply the locking means into a locking position and thereafter the manual parking brake is released to free the bogie wheels and air pressure is re-applied to each gland.

22. A method of fitting one of a number of containers that vary in length to a frame assembly for transport by rail, the frame assembly being connected to a pair of bogies and having adjustment means in the form of a telescoping beam unit comprising a series of telescoping portions, the method comprising the steps of: O affixing the container to a receiving means; and adjusting the length of the frame assembly by retracting or extending the adjustment means so as to match the length of the container, the adjustment means fi connected to the receiving means.

23. A method according to claim 22 wherein the receiving means comprises a pair of beams, each beam connected transversely across a respective bogie of the pair of bogies.

24. A method according to claim 23 further comprising the step of securing an underside of the container to each beam.

A method according to claim 24 wherein the adjusting step comprises using stopping means located on the telescoping portions to provide a maximum extension or retraction of one portion within an adjacent portion.

26. A method according to claim 25 wherein the step of adjusting further comprises locking any two adjacent portions of the telescoping portions using a locking means that protrudes through a part of the respective portions.

27. A method according to claim 26 such that when a portion is at a maximum extension, an aperture in each of the extended portion and the adjacent portion are coaligned to enable the locking means to protrude through each aperture so as to secure the respective portions of the telescoping portions.

28. A method according to claim 26 such that when a portion is at a maximum retraction, an aperture in each of the retracted portion and the adjacent portion are coaligned to enable the locking means to protrude through each aperture so as to secure the respective portions of the telescoping portions. ,I

29. A method according to claim 27 or claim 28 further comprising using a Zdeformable means housed within a locking means cylinder to secure the extended or retracted portion to the adjacent portion.

30. A method according to claim 29 further comprising the step of exhausting air Cc from the cylinder to enable the deformable means to extend so as to keep the locking Smeans in a locking position. C-q

31. A method according to claim 29 or claim 30 wherein in order to release locking means, the method further comprises applying air to the cylinder to compress the NI deformable means and thereby release the locking means.

32. A method according to claim 31 such that in order to extend the frame assembly, the method comprises the following steps: applying a manual parking brake on one of the bogies so as to lock the wheels of the bogie to prevent the bogie from moving; exhausting pressurised air in each gland of a series of air brake pipe glands formed in one or more air brake pipes that extend along the telescoping beam unit; applying air to the respective locking means cylinder to release the locking means; extending the relevant portion; exhausting air from the cylinder to allow the deformable means to expand and place the locking means in the locking position; releasing the manual parking brake to free the bogie wheels and reapplying air pressure to each gland.

33. A method according to claim 31 or claim 32 wherein in order to retract the frame the assembly the method comprises the following steps: applying a manual parking brake on one of the bogies so as to lock the wheels of the bogie to prevent the bogie from moving; applying air to the respective locking means cylinder in order to release the locking means; exhausting pressurised air in each gland of a series of air brake pipe glands formed in one or more air brake pipes that extend along the telescoping beam unit; retracting the relevant portion; t_ exhausting air from the cylinder in order to reapply the locking means into a Slocking position; Sreleasing the manual parking brake to free the bogie wheels; and reapplying air pressure to each gland. SDated this twelfth day of July 2004 (N in CRT Group Pty Ltd 0 Patent Attorneys for the Applicant: F B RICE CO