GB2334059A

GB2334059A - Height restriction frame

Info

Publication number: GB2334059A
Application number: GB9802269A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Eric Heather
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-02-03
Filing date: 1998-02-03
Publication date: 1999-08-11
Also published as: GB9802269D0

Abstract

A gantry (11) is suspended from a frame formed of two side columns (10), with reinforcement buttresses (22, fig. 2) and a top bar (14). The gantry is biased into an operating position against stops (20, fig. 4) by springs (15), in use the system prevents any vehicle over a predetermined height passing through the frame thereby protecting a reduced clearance structure (ie a bridge or a tunnel) further down the road. Once the gantry has arrested the over-height vehicle attempting to pass through it the gantry can be lifted using ropes (19, fig 2) operated by levers (18, fig. 2) to allow the vehicle to be removed.

Description

TUNNEL BRIDGE FRAME WITH LIFTING BEAM This Invention relates to a Tunnel Bridge Frame with Lifting Beam.

Tunnels such as the Blackwall Tunnel which passes under the Thames are often blocked at the entrance by oversized lorries. The Tunnel Bridge Frame with Lifting Beam is designed to prevent this. If a lorry becomes trapped under the bridge a beam can be lifted so the lorry can be removed in a very short time. Thereby cutting down the time of traffic stoppages.

According to the present invention there is a tunnel bridge frame with Lifting Beam comprising of two columns bridged with steelwork with a sprung mounted beam that can be lifted by a system steel rope running over pulleys to operating levers.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1. Shows the front elevation with the spring loaded beam set at the height of the tunnel.

Held into place by stops set between the flanges of the universal columns which are used as guides for the beam. The pulleys are positioned to carry the wire rope fixed to the beam runs through the centre of each spring down to the lifting lever set between the flanges fitted to the outside of each column.

Figure 2. Side elevation shows the column with the lifting lever set between the flanges and the wire rope leading up to the pulley. The steel buttresses are welded on the rear side of each column to absorb the impact of lorries hitting the beam.

Figure 3. Is a plan view showing the layout of the pulleys and wire lifting rope.

Figure 4. Illustrates the cross section of Figure 1. with the arrangement of the springs holding the beam against the stops with the wire lifting rope running up to the pulley.

Figure 5. Is a three dimensional view illustrating how the beam is raised on the right hand side.

The Tunnel Bridge Frame with Lifting Beam is bolted to precast foundations through base plates 13 for the left and right columns 10 and base plates 21 for left and right buttresses 22. Fabricated steelwork 14. bridges the top of columns 10. Beam 11 rests on stops 20 set at the height of the tunnel. Tension springs 15 are fitted between steelwork 14 and beam 11 holding it firmly on the stops. Wire ropes 19 is attached to the beam 11 and runs up inside the left and right springs 15 over. pulleys 16 and pulleys 17 across the steelwork 14 and runs down the outside of columns 10 to separate lifting levers 18. fitted at 1 metre height from the base of columns, when the left and right levers are operated together manually by pulling them down the beam 11 can be lifted to free the trapped vehicle.

Any inventive ideas contained herein may be combined with any one or more inventive ideas contained herein.

Claims

CLAIMS 1.The Tunnel Bridge Frame with Lifting Beam comprises of two universal columns reinforced with buttresses which are fitted with base plates bolted to suitable foundations. The top of the columns are spanned with bridging steelwork. The steel lifting beam is fitted between the flanges of the columns and rests on stops (set at the height of tunnels and bridges) and is held firmly in position by springs.

Two wire ropes are fitted to the beam passing through the centre of the springs and over a simple system of pulleys to two lifting levers fitted to the outside of the columns.
2. The Tunnel Bridge Frame with Lifting Beam as in Claim 1 means are provided to hold the beam firmly in position by means of stops and springs set at the tunnel or bridge height required.
3. The Tunnel Bridge Frame with Lifting Beam as in Claim 1 or Claim 2 provides a means for lifting the beam using a system of wire rope, pulleys and levers.
4. The Tunnel Bridge Frame with Lifting Beam as in Claim 1, 2 or 3 means provided for fitting beam between the flanges of the left and right columns.
5. The Tunnel Bridge with Lifting Frame substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 on the accompanying Drawing 1/2 and Figure 5 on Drawing 2/2.