CA2796153A1

CA2796153A1 - Temporary bridge

Info

Publication number: CA2796153A1
Application number: CA 2796153
Authority: CA
Inventors: Douglas A. Hilsabeck; Dwain Mueller
Original assignee: Renn Mill Center Inc
Current assignee: Renn Mill Center Inc
Priority date: 2012-11-20
Filing date: 2012-11-20
Publication date: 2014-05-20

Abstract

There is described a temporary bridge to permit vehicles to cross obstacles, which includes at least one arched body having a first end and a second end. Each arched body includes a plurality of vertically oriented parallel spaced arch members extending from the first end to the second end of the at least one arched body. Each of the arch members has a convex upper surface, a concave lower surface, and flat opposed sides. A
plurality of vertically oriented parallel spaced transverse members are positioned transversely between the opposed sides of the arch members and service to define a framework of box reinforcement structures. An upper travel surface is supported by the convex upper surface and secured to the box reinforcement structures. A lower structural covering is provided on the concave lower surface. The lower structural covering is secured to the box reinforcement structures.

Description

TITLE
[0001] Temporary Bridge FIELD

[0002] There is described a temporary bridge that was developed to enable construction equipment to cross sidewalks to access construction sites. It will be appreciated that the temporary bridge may be used to cross streams, drainage ditches, or buried utilities.
BACKGROUND

[0003] Roads and sidewalks are currently being installed in subdivisions.
When lots are sold, construction equipment must cross the sidewalks to access the lot on which construction is taking place. Construction equipment is causing damage to sidewalks, which is often requiring entire sections of the sidewalks to be replaced. There have been various solutions proposed, but they have not proved to be effective. There will hereinafter be described a temporary bridge which was developed to avoid damage to sidewalks by construction equipment.
SUMMARY

[0004] There is provided a temporary bridge which includes at least one arched body having a first end and a second end. Each arched body includes a plurality of vertically oriented parallel spaced arch members extending from the first end to the second end of the at least one arched body. Each of the arch members has a convex upper surface, a concave lower surface, and flat opposed sides. A plurality of vertically oriented parallel spaced transverse members are positioned transversely between the opposed sides of the arch members and service to define a framework of box reinforcement structures. An upper travel surface is supported by the convex upper surface and secured to the box reinforcement structures. A lower structural covering is provided on the concave lower surface. The lower structural covering is secured to the box reinforcement structures.

[0005] The temporary bridge, as described above, is intended to take the weight of cement trucks and other types of transport vehicles hauling supplies and equipment to a construction site. When the weight of a vehicle is on the structure, the upper travel surface is placed in compression and the lower structural covering is placed in tension.
The combination of elements with the reinforcing box structures increase the load bearing capability of the temporary bridge. It is anticipated that the arch members and the transverse members will both be made of structural metal plate. It is similarly anticipated that the upper travel surface and the lower structural covering are both made of structural metal plate. It is appreciated that the use of structural metal plate is not required if the load bearing requirements are not as demanding as a construction site application.

[0006] It has been found that an offset arrangement of the transverse members results in a stronger structure. In accordance with this aspect, the transverse members serving to define the box reinforcement structures between one pair of arch members is offset from transverse members serving to define the box reinforcement structures between an adjacent pair of arch members.

[0007] There are various ways to tie the upper travel surface to the box reinforcement structures. In the embodiment which will hereinafter be described, each of the transverse members have upwardly projecting connective vanes which are received in slots in the upper travel surface to tie the box reinforcement structures to the upper travel surface and provide a rigidity to the box reinforcement structures. It has been found that when the vanes project above the upper travel surface, they also serve to provide a non-skid profile for the upper travel surface.

[0008] The terrain upon which the temporary bridge is to be installed may vary. For that reason it is preferred that the at least one arched body has an access ramp attached to at least one of the first end or the second end. An access ramp can be used to accommodate the first end and the second end of the temporary bridge to suit surface grade. It has been determined that it is advantageous to have each access ramp pivotally mounted by means of hinges. This allows the access ramp to "float" on the hinges to whatever level is necessary to accommodate the surface grade. It also allows the access ramp to pivot about the hinges between an operation position extending past one of the first end or the second end and a stored position.

[0009] Where surface loading is a concern, a weight distributing ground pad may be positioned at one of a first end or a second end of the concave lower surface.
Where sliding movement of the ground pad is of concern, the ground pad may be provided with a ground engaging profile to retard movement of the ground pad. How aggressive the ground engaging profile is will depend upon whether it is anticipated that it is rest upon a roadway or vacant land.

[0010] It has been found that frequently transport vehicles must back over the temporary bridge. Where this is anticipated, it is preferred that the upper travel surface has peripheral side edges with vertically extending edge delimiters. Striking the edge delimiters serves as a warning to the driver of the transport vehicle, that the vehicle is in danger of driving off an edge of the temporary bridge. In the illustrated embodiment, side rails have been used as the edge delimiters.

[0011] It is possible to fabricate a large arched body which is wide enough to accommodate all anticipated vehicular traffic. However, it is preferred that two arched bodies be connected in parallel spaced relation. Each of the two arched bodies provides the upper travel surface that accommodates one of the wheels of the transport vehicle.

[0012] As the axle width of transport vehicles varies, it is preferred that the two arched bodies are connected by a length extendible connection that allows a distance between the two arched bodies to be adjusted to accommodate vehicles having differing axle widths.

[0013] As a transport vehicle travels over the temporary bridge, each of the two arched bodies may be subjected to some limited pitching and rolling. It is, therefore, preferred that the two arched bodies are connected by a flexible connection to accommodate relative pitch and roll.

[0014] In the current application of construction sites in new subdivisions, there is frequently a difference in elevation from road grade to lot grade. For that reason it is preferred that the first end of the at least one arched body has a first horizontal plane and the second end of the at least one arched body has a second horizontal plane that is one of higher or lower than the first horizontal plane.

[0015] The rate of ascent and descent onto the temporary bridge has an effect on how well the temporary bridge performs. Too dramatic a radius of curvature on the upper travel surface can result in the frame of the transport vehicle "bottoming out", at an intermediate position between the front wheels and the rear wheels. Where the transport vehicle has an air bag suspension, "bottoming out" is less likely. However, the air bag suspension may operate to shift weight from one axle onto another axle, resulting in an undesirable load distribution.
It is, therefore, preferred that the upper travel surface defines a grade of between 5 degrees and 8 degrees, which has been found to be a workable grade range. It will be appreciated that where an access ramp is used, the upper travel surface in combination with the access ramp will define a grade of between 5 degrees and 8 degrees.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] These and other features will become more apparent from the following description in which reference is made to the appended drawings, the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended to be in any way limiting, wherein:

[0017] FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a temporary bridge.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the temporary bridge covering a sidewalk.

[0019] FIG. 3 is a top perspective view, partially in section, of the temporary bridge covering a sidewalk.

[0020] FIG. 4 is a detailed view, partially in section, of the box reinforcement structure.

[0021] FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the temporary bridge.

[0022] FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the temporary bridge with ramps in the operational position.

[0023] FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the temporary bridge with ramps in the stored position.

[0024] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of two temporary bridges connected together in parallel spaced relation.

[0025] FIG. 9 is a detailed view of the connection that connects temporary bridges in parallel spaced relation as shown in FIG. 8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] A temporary bridge generally identified by reference numeral 10, will now be 5 described with reference to FIG. 1 through 9.
Structure and Relationship of Parts:

[0027] Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a temporary bridge 10 includes at least one arched body 12 with a first end 14 and a second end 16. In the embodiments shown, first end 14 of arched body 12 has a first horizontal plane 18 and second end 16 of arched body 12 has a second horizontal plane 20 that is one of higher or lower than first horizontal plane 18.
Referring to FIG. 1, first horizontal plane 18 is shown lower than second horizontal plane 20.
Referring to FIG. 2, first horizontal plane 18 is shown higher than second horizontal plane 20.
Referring to FIG. 3, each arched body 12 has a plurality of vertically oriented parallel spaced arch members 22 extending from first end 14 to second end 16 of arched body 12. Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, each of arch members 22 has a convex upper surface 24, a concave lower surface 26 and flat opposed sides 28. Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, a plurality of vertically oriented parallel spaced transverse members 30 are positioned transversely between opposed sides 28 of arch members 22 and serve to define a framework of box reinforcement structures 32. Transverse members 30 serving to define box reinforcement structures 32 between one pair of arch members 22 are offset from transverse members 30 serving to define box reinforcement structures 32 between an adjacent pair of arch members 22.
It is preferred that arch members 22 and transverse members 30 be made of structural metal plate, however it may be understood that different materials may be used and that the arch members and transverse members need not be made of the same materials. The materials used should be based on the load bearing requirements of temporary bridge 10.

[0028] Referring to FIG. 3, an upper travel surface 34 is supported by convex upper surface 24 and secured to box reinforcement structures 32. It will be understood that a portion of upper travel surface 34 has been removed to reveal underlying structural detail and that upper travel surface 34 covers the entirety of convex upper surface 24 as shown in FIG. 8.

Referring to FIG. 8, in the embodiments shown, upper travel surface 34 has peripheral side edges 36 with vertically extending edge delimiters 38. In the embodiments shown, side rails 40 have been used as edge delimiters 38, however it will be understood that different delimiters may be used. It is preferred that upper travel surface 34 define a grade of between 5 degrees and 8 degrees, however it will be understood that travel surface 24 may define a different grade. Referring to FIG. 5, a lower structural covering 42 on concave lower surface 26 is secured to box reinforcement structures 32. It is preferred that upper travel surface 34 and lower structural covering 42 both be made of structural metal plate, however it will be understood that different materials may be used and upper travel surface 34 and lower structural covering 42 need not be made of the same material. Materials should be chosen based on the load bearing requirements of temporary bridge 10. Referring to FIG. 4, transverse members 30 have upwardly projecting connective vanes 44 received in slots 46 in upper travel surface 34 to tie box reinforcement structures 32 to upper travel surface 34 and provide rigidity to box reinforcement structures 32. Vanes 44 project above upper travel surface 34 to provide a non-skid profile for upper travel surface 34.

[0029] Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, when the weight of a vehicle is on arched body 12, upper travel surface 34 is placed in compression and lower structural covering 42 is placed in tension. Referring to FIG. 4, the combination of elements within reinforcing box structures 32 increases the load bearing capability of temporary bridge 10.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, arched body 12 has an access ramp 48 attached to at least one of first end 14 and second end 16. Each access ramp 48 is pivotally mounted by means of hinges 50. Access ramps 48 pivot about hinges 50 between an operation position, shown in FIG. 6, extending past one of first end 14 or second end 16 and a stored position, shown in FIG. 7. It is preferred that upper travel surface 34 in combination with access ramp 48 defines a grade of between 5 degrees and 8 degrees, however it will be understood that a different grade may be defined. Referring to FIG. 5, a weight distributing ground pad 52 is positioned at one of a first end 54 or a second end 56 of concave lower surface 26. Ground pad 52 has a ground engaging profile 58 to retard movement of ground pad 52.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, two arched bodies 12a and 12b may be connected in parallel spaced relation. The two arched bodies 12a and 12b are connected by a length extendible connection 60 that allows a distance between the two arched bodies 12a and 12b to be adjusted to accommodate vehicles having differing axle widths. Flexible connection 60 may also accommodate relative pitch and roll of the two arched bodies 12a and 12b.
Operation:

[0032] Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, temporary bridge 10 is placed over a sidewalk 100 or other obstacle to be protected. Referring to FIG. 2, concave lower surface 26 does not come into contact with sidewalk 100 so no pressure is placed on sidewalk 100 when temporary bridge 10 is used. As shown in the present embodiment, second horizontal plane is lower than first horizontal plane 18. Second horizontal plane 20 may rest on a road way while first horizontal plane 18 rests on the ground beyond the sidewalk.
Referring to FIG. 3, a single temporary bridge 10 may be used to provide a path over the sidewalk.
Temporary 15 bridges 10 may be created of a width large enough to allow an entire vehicle to cross, however this size makes moving and storing of temporary bridges 10 more cumbersome.
Referring to FIG. 8, two temporary bridges 10 may be placed in parallel spaced relation such that a vehicle can place the left side tires on one bridge 10 and the right side tires on a second bridge 10. When two temporary bridges 10 are used, they are held in place by length 20 extendible connection 60. The length of connection 60 may be altered to allow vehicles with different length axles to cross.

[0033] Referring to FIG. 6, access ramps 48 may be attached to arched body 12 either prior to or after positioned of temporary bridge 10. When attached to arched body 12, ramps 48 are pivotal on hinges 50 between an operable position and a stored position, shown in FIG. 7.

[0034] In this patent document, the word "comprising" is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article "a" does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be one and only one of the elements.

[0035] The scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments set forth in the examples, but should be given a broad purposive interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.

Claims

1. A temporary bridge, comprising:
at least one arched body having a first end and a second end, each arched body being comprised of:
a plurality of vertically oriented parallel spaced arch members extending from the first end to the second end of the at least one arched body, each of the arch members having a convex upper surface, a concave lower surface, and flat opposed sides;
a plurality of vertically oriented parallel spaced transverse members positioned transversely between the opposed sides of the arch members and serving to define a framework of box reinforcement structures;
an upper travel surface supported by the convex upper surface and secured to the box reinforcement structures; and a lower structural covering on the concave lower surface, the lower structural covering being secured to the box reinforcement structures.

2. The temporary bridge of Claim 1, wherein the arch members and the transverse members are both made of structural metal plate.

3. The temporary bridge of Claim 1, wherein the upper travel surface and the lower structural covering are both made of structural metal plate.

4. The temporary bridge of Claim 1, wherein the transverse members serving to define the box reinforcement structures between one pair of arch members is offset from transverse members serving to define the box reinforcement structures between an adjacent pair of arch members.

5. The temporary bridge of Claim 1, wherein the transverse members have upwardly projecting connective vanes received in slots in the upper travel surface to tie the box reinforcement structures to the upper travel surface and provide a rigidity to the box reinforcement structures.

6. The temporary bridge of Claim 5, wherein the vanes project above the upper travel surface to provide a non-skid profile for the upper travel surface.

7. The temporary bridge of Claim 1, wherein the at least one arched body has an access ramp attached to at least one of the first end or the second end.

8. The temporary bridge of Claim 7, wherein each access ramp is pivotally mounted by means of hinges, the access ramp pivoting about the hinges between an operation position extending past one of the first end or the second end and a stored position.

9. The temporary bridge of Claim 1, wherein a weight distributing ground pad is positioned at one of a first end or a second end of the concave lower surface.

10. The temporary bridge of Claim 9, wherein the ground pad has a ground engaging profile to retard movement of the ground pad.

11. The temporary bridge of Claim 1, wherein the upper travel surface has peripheral side edges with vertically extending edge delimiters.

12. The temporary bridge of Claim 1, wherein there are two arched bodies connected in parallel spaced relation.

13. The temporary bridge of Claim 12, wherein the two arched bodies are connected by a length extendible connection that allows a distance between the two arched bodies to be adjusted to accommodate vehicles having differing axle widths.

14. The temporary bridge of Claim 12, wherein the two arched bodies are connected by a flexible connection to accommodate relative pitch and roll.

15. The temporary bridge of Claim 1, wherein the first end of the at least one arched body has a first horizontal plane and the second end of the at least one arched body has a second horizontal plane that is one of higher or lower than the first horizontal plane.

16. The temporary bridge of Claim 1, wherein the upper travel surface defines a grade of between 5 degrees and 8 degrees.

17. The temporary bridge of Claim 7, wherein the upper travel surface in combination with the access ramp defines a grade of between 5 degrees and 8 degrees.