EP0475853B1 - System for transporting a bridge element surmounting gaps and system for placing the bridge element using a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system for transporting at least one bridge element and for placing it over a gap. The system is characterised in that it comprises a beam (50) for supporting and delivering (launching) a bridge (2; 3) which can be moved relative to a vehicle (1) into an overhanging delivering (launching) position in which the bridge element (2; 3) is positively driven in translation in a guided manner over the delivering (launching) beam (50) and into a position of overhang relative to the beam (50), which pivots clockwise in order to effect placing of the bridge element (2; 3). The present invention applies particularly to the field of military engineering. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to a system for transporting on a road vehicle, such as a truck, at least one bridging span intended for crossing a breach and for depositing the span above the breach from the vehicle. .

EP-A-O 374 019 discloses a system making it possible in particular to deposit a short span or longer length after assembly of two short span from a vehicle. However, this known system involves the use of a very large number of actuating cylinders, the points of articulation of which to the vehicle undergo relatively large forces during the lifting of a span and the pivoting of a front portion of the support structure of the span. In addition, this known system does not allow effective recovery of the forces due to the overhang of the span when it is deposited on the breach to be crossed, especially in the case where the span is very long. Finally, the known system has a relatively complex structure and operation.

EP-A-0 362 065 describes a system comprising the characteristics set out in the preamble of claim 1.

This known system has the same drawbacks as those of the system of document EP-A-0 374 019, in particular as regards the resumption of the forces of cantilevering of the span.

The present invention aims to eliminate the above drawbacks of known systems by proposing a system as defined in the preamble of claim 1 and which is characterized in that it comprises a main beam supporting the tilting and mounted plate on the vehicle chassis movable in translation along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle to a position of extension of the vehicle increasing the lever arm to take up the forces resulting from the cantilevered positions of the span and of the beam launch.

Preferably, the main beam is supported by a corset beam fixed to the chassis of the vehicle and is positively driven in a guided manner in translation on the corset beam.

The span is guided bilaterally relative to the launching beam during its movements controlled by a guide assembly with rollers and corresponding guide rails moving on the rollers.

Preferably, the guide rails are fixed to the span and the rollers are fixed to the launching beam.

The means for driving the span on the launching beam comprise an electric motor secured to the launching beam and two parallel lateral racks secured to the span on which respectively mesh two driving pinions driven by the rotary shaft of the electric motor.

The two aforementioned racks are fixed directly respectively to the two guide rails, each with a cross section in a coated U shape.

The drive beam drive means comprise an electric motor fixed under the tilting plate, a rack fixed longitudinally under the launch beam and a motor pinion driven by the rotary shaft of the motor and meshing the rack.

Preferably, the launching beam is assembled to the tilting plate by a dovetail guide while the main beam is assembled to the corset beam also by a dovetail guide.

The drive means of the main beam comprise an electric motor secured to the corset beam, a rack fixed longitudinally under the main beam and a drive pinion driven by the rotary shaft of the engine and meshing with the rack.

The means for orienting the tilting plate comprise on the one hand at least one element for retaining the tilting plate at a certain distance from the axis. for tilting the tray and a control member for the retainer operable to either pull the retainer and rotate the tilting tray counterclockwise, or release the retainer to allow the span structure - launching beam - tilting plate to pivot freely around the tilting axis clockwise and on the other hand a counter-plate device pivoting around the tilting axis of the tilting and exercising plate a pushing force under the tilting plate to maintain the latter in particular in the approximately horizontal position for supporting the span.

The counter-plate device comprises two arms pivoting about the aforementioned tilting axis and two actuating members, preferably with hydraulic cylinders, acting respectively on the two ends of the actuating arms to press them under the tilting plate.

Preferably, the span comprises two parallel substantially parallelepipedal caissons defining two upper raceways and two spouts mounted articulated respectively at the two ends of each caisson about a transverse articulation axis and controlled so that each spout occupies a position folded down on the box and continuity of the latter, a deployed position in extension of the box allowing vehicles to access and leave the tracks smoothly once the span is deposited above the breach to cross.

The two end nozzles located on the same side respectively of the two boxes of the span are controlled simultaneously by a control device comprising a motor driving two coaxial shafts extending transversely to the launching beam by crossing respectively the two side walls of the latter, a double rod cylinder secured to the launching beam being able to drive the two shafts mounted to slide between a retracted position inactive and an active positive drive position of two maneuvering forks pivotally mounted on the outer sides respectively of the two boxes of the span around an axis close to the axis of articulation of the spouts and each engaged with an external axis integral with the corresponding spout, the slots occupying a lying position in the deployed position of the spouts and a raised position approximately perpendicular to the tracks in the folded position of the spouts.

The two aforementioned shafts each have at their end a square drive endpiece engaging in the active position in a rotary sleeve of conjugate shape passing through the wall or internal flank of a box and mounted at the end of a rotary shaft arranged transversely in the box and driving the pivot axis of the corresponding fork by means of a transmission with sprockets and belts or chains arranged at the end of the box.

The guide rails are fixed respectively to the internal walls or flanks facing the two caissons of the span so that the launching beam is disposed between the two caissons of the span and the end spouts comprise rails guide fixed to the internal walls of the spouts and extending from the guide rails of the boxes when in the deployed position.

The system further includes another span or lower span on which rests, in the transport position, the aforementioned span or upper span and which can be either deposited over another gap after removal of the upper span, or coupled and mechanically locked to the upper span as an extension of that -this to form a span of great length, which is then deposited on a corresponding breach to be crossed.

The lower span rests at its rear end close to the cabin of the vehicle on a fixed support structure with sliding pads secured to the corset beam and at its front end on a device for lifting the lower beam fixed to the corset beam and comprising a part forming a lifting arm pivoting about a transverse fixed axis of the corset beam, which part forming an arm comprises at least one support roller for the lower span.

The aforementioned lifting device is controlled so that the arm portion lifts the front end of the lower span when the upper span is cantilevered on the launching beam and inclined at the same angle as that of the span lower by orientation of the tilting plate so that the lower span is in alignment with the upper span which is then moved on the launching beam towards the lower span to mate and mechanically lock it, the launching beam then being straightened by the plate tilting in approximately horizontal position to which the end spouts of the large span are deployed, which large span is then moved on the launching beam in a cantilevered position to which the tilting plate is driven in the direction schedule for the removal of the large span.

For the removal of the lower span on the other aforementioned breach, the launching beam is brought into the cantilever position, the lifting device is controlled so that the arm part raises the front end of the span lower, the tilting plate is oriented so that the launching beam and the lower span are aligned, the launching beam is returned to the transport position to engage its rollers in the guide rails of the lower span, the beam main is moved to the extended position by carrying with it the lower span supported by the launching beam which is then straightened by the tilting plate to an approximately horizontal position, the end spouts of the lower span are deployed and the span is brought in cantilever on the launching beam, and the tilting plate is driven clockwise for the removal of e the lower span on the other breach.

The launching beam comprises at least two pairs of front and rear rollers respectively and the pair of front rollers is mounted on a bogie device allowing angular movement of the rollers when removing the launching beam from the associated span deposited on the breach or when resuming the span.

Advantageously, the bogie-forming device comprises approach studs facilitating the positioning of the rollers in the guide rails of the span when in particular when the span is taken up on the ground.

The invention will be better understood and other objects, characteristics, details and advantages thereof will appear more clearly during the explanatory description which follows, made with reference to the appended schematic drawings given solely by way of example illustrating a mode of the invention and in which:

Figure 1 shows the system according to the invention comprising a truck and the device for depositing at least one span over a breach to be crossed.

FIG. 2 is a top view along arrow II of FIG. 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view along line III-III of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a sectional view along line IV-IV of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a sectional view along the line V-V of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a sectional view along line VI-VI of Figure 2.

Figure 7 shows schematically with partial cutaway a span.

FIG. 8 is a top view along arrow VIII of FIG. 7.

Figure 9 is a partial perspective view with cutaway of the end of the span according to arrow IX of Figure 7, with the end nozzles in deployed position.

Figure 10 is a view identical to that of Figure 9 with the end noses folded down.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of the part circled in XI of FIG. 10.

Figure 12 is a top view with cutaway part of a launching beam.

FIG. 13 is a side view along arrow XIII in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of the part circled in XIV of FIG. 13.

Figure 15 is a sectional view along line XV-XV of Figure 14.

Figure 16 is a sectional view along line XVI-XVI of Figure 12.

Figure 17 is a sectional view along line XVII-XVII of Figure 12.

FIG. 18 is an enlarged view along arrow XVIII of FIG. 13.

Figure 19 is a sectional view along line XIX-XIX of Figure 12.

Figure 20 is a perspective view from below of a tray - counter tray assembly.

Figure 21 is a sectional view along line XXI-XXI of Figure 20.

Figure 22 shows in perspective a main beam of the system of the invention.

FIG. 23 is a top view along arrow XXIII of FIG. 22.

Figure 24 is an enlarged sectional view along line XXIV-XXIV of Figure 22.

Figure 25 shows in perspective a corset beam of the system of the invention.

Figure 26 is a sectional view along line XXVI-XXVI of Figure 25.

Figure 27 is a perspective view of a device for lifting a lower span of the system of the invention.

Figure 28 is a perspective view of a support structure of the lower span.

Figure 29 shows in perspective a lateral stabilization foot of the truck when removing a span.

Figure 30 shows in perspective an anti-tilt base associated with an anti-tilt foot of the vehicle at the rear thereof.

Figures 31 (A) to 31 (0) show the different phases of assembling two short span structures to form a very long span and depositing the latter over a gap.

Figures 32 (A) to 32 (H) show the different phases of removal of an upper span.

Figures 33 (A) to 33 (N) show the different phases of removal of the lower span.

Referring to Figures 1 to 30, the reference 1 designates a truck for transporting two spans respectively upper 2 and lower 3 resting one on the other towards at least one breach to be crossed by vehicles for example military.

The truck 1 comprises a cabin 4 extended by a longitudinal chassis 5 supporting the system for removing the spans 2, 3.

According to the invention, this system comprises a corset beam 6 of rigid structure and U-shaped cross section covering the chassis 5 while being secured to it by any suitable means such as fixing screws (not shown) passing through the side walls of the beam 6 at the places symbolized in 7 in FIG. 25. An electric motor 8 is fixed using fixing bolts 9 under the upper wall joining the side walls of the beam 6 and formed by lattice beams 10. The motor 8 drives by its rotary shaft a motor pinion 11 protected from the outside by a casing 12 fixed under the upper wall 10.

The system further comprises a main beam 13 slidably mounted on the corset beam 6 along the longitudinal axis of the chassis 5 by a dovetail assembly, the stud 14 of which is machined on the upper wall 10 of the beam 6 and the mortise 15 is machined under the main beam 13. At the bottom of the mortise 15 extends a rack longitudinally 16 arranged along the longitudinal axis of the chassis 5 and under which the drive pinion meshes 11. The main beam 13 consists of a resistant U-shaped structure stiffened by transverse reinforcing bars 17. A jack 18, of preferably hydraulic, is fixed to the bottom of the main beam 13 along the longitudinal axis thereof by fixing lugs 19 integral with the body of the jack 18, the rod 20 of which has its end connected in an articulated manner about an axis transverse to a part 21 forming the attachment head of two parallel chains or cables 22 extending along the beam 13 and whose roles will be explained later. The part 21 is guided bilaterally along the longitudinal axis of the beam 13 by guide angles 23 secured, for example by welding, to the side walls of the beam 13. The beam 13 supports, towards its front part opposite to the cabin 2 from truck 1, a shaft 24 disposed transversely between the two side walls of the beam 13 and journalling at its ends in bronze rings 25 integral with sockets 26 forming support bearings fixed through the side walls of the beam 13. The sockets 26 are closed externally by covers 27. Two pulleys 28 are fixed on the rotary shaft 24 and serve as pulleys upward at approximately 90 ° respectively from the two chains or cables 22. The front end of the beam 13 is formed of two parallel plates 13a with raised bottom relative to the junction bottom of the side walls of the beam 13 and reinforced by two dihedral transverse plates 29. The two plates 13a terminate respectively in two plates 13b approximately vertical to the plates 13a and supporting a transverse pivot axis 30 as will be described below.

The system further comprises a plate 31 which can tilt around the pivot axis 30 under the control of the jack 18 and of the chains or cables 22, the ends opposite to those fixed to the part 21 are fixed by two anchor points in double bracket 32 under the plate 31 and located at a certain distance from the pivot axis 30. The latter is secured by its two ends to the support plates 13b of the beam 13 respectively in two fixing rings 33 integral with the plates 13b . The plate 31 pivots around the central part of the axis 30 by means of lateral bronze rings 34 secured to the axis 30 coaxially with the latter. The plate 31 is associated with a counter-plate device 35 which comprises two parallel arms 36 pivoting around the axis 30 by means of two bronze rings 37 integral with the axis 30 and disposed between the two rings 34 being adjacent to these. The two arms 36 have their ends opposite the axis 30 connected in an articulated manner by yokes 38 respectively to the two ends of two rods 39 of two actuating cylinders 40 of the counter-plate device 35 and which act respectively on the two ends of the arm 36 for pressing them under the tilting plate 31. The bodies of the jacks 40 are fixed to the external faces of the two plates 13a of the beam 13 by, for example, by means of fixing plates fixed to these external faces at the places symbolized by the reference 41. A jack 42 has its body pivotally attached to the axis 30 at its central part between the rings 37 by means of a ball joint R and has its jack rod 43 hingedly connected to a base anti-tilting 44 by means of a yoke 45 integral with the base 44. The base 44 further comprises two other yokes 46 to which are articulated respectively two rods 47 of lateral jacks to the 48 operating the anti-tilt foot constituted by the jack 42 and the base 44 and the actuator bodies of which are hingedly attached by fixing plates 49 to the external faces of the side walls of the beam 13. The actuators 48 thus allow the pivoting of the anti-tilt foot between an inactive position stored in the beam 13 under the raised bottom between the plates 13a and an active vertical position where the rod 43 of the jack 42 presses the anti-tilting base 44 against the ground, the pivoting of the jack 42 taking place in the median vertical plane of the beam 13. The tilting plate 31 is thus oriented on the one hand by the jack 18 pulling on the chains 22 or releasing them for the resumption of the maximum forces when the span (s) 2, 3 are cantilevered with the launching beam 50 , which will be described later, in the extended position and on the other hand by the two cylinders 40 of the device 35 when the forces are reversed (for example, when the launching beam 50 is in the storage position) and, in this case, these efforts, as well as the deflections of the plate 31 are limited. The fact that the tilting plate 31 and the central jack 42 of the anti-tilt foot are mounted on the same axis of rotation 30 ensures good distribution of the forces during the launching phase of the spans 2, 3.

The launching beam 50 consists of a resistant structure preferably in a rectangular box and can be moved in translation in a guided manner on the tilting plate 31. For this, the beam 50 is assembled to the tilting plate 31 by a dovetail , whose tenon 51 is machined on the plate 31 and the mortise 52 is machined under the lower wall of the launching beam 50. A rack 53 is fixed under this lower wall along the longitudinal axis of the beam 50. An electric motor 54 is fixed under the tilting plate 31 and has its rotary shaft driving a motor pinion 55 protected from the outside by a protective casing 56 and passing through the plate 31 to mesh with the rack 53. The control of the motor 54 thus makes it possible to move the launching beam 50 relative to the plate 31 along the longitudinal axis of the chassis 5 of truck 1.

The beam 50 comprises two rear pairs of lateral guide or external rollers 57 with the two rollers 57 of each pair arranged coaxially on either side of the beam 50. Each roller 57 is freely rotatably mounted on a support axis 58 fixed perpendicularly to the corresponding side wall of the beam 50. A bronze anti-friction ring 59 is interposed between the roller 57 and the axis 58. The roller 57 is moreover held in position on the axis 58 by two shoulders opposites 60 of the latter. The beam 50 furthermore comprises two other front pairs of guide or external lateral rollers 61 with the two rollers 61 of each pair arranged coaxially on either side of the beam 50. The two rollers 61 of the most pair in front are each rotatably mounted on a support axis 62 by means of a bronze anti-friction ring 63, the axis 62 being integral with a side plate 64 perpendicular to the latter. Similarly, the two rollers 61 of the other pair are rotatably supported respectively on two axes 62 integral with the two side plates 64, which are each more pivotally mounted relative to the corresponding side wall of the beam 50 by an axis 65 integral with the plate 64 and passing through the side wall of the beam 50. Each axis 65 is freely rotatably mounted in a bronze ring 66 integral with the side wall of the beam 50 and is retained in this wall by a flange 67 at the end of the axis 65. The plates 64 can thus pivot relative to the walls lateral of the beam 50 by the axes 65 so as to constitute a bogie-forming device allowing an angular movement of the pairs of rollers before 61 during the final phase of depositing the spans 2, 3 or the resumption of these on the ground. Each side plate 64 is moreover equipped at its front end with an external transverse stud 68 intended to facilitate the positioning of the rollers 61 in guide rails during the initial stages of recovery of the bridges 2, 3 on the ground. In addition, the end of the plate 64 has a bias cut as shown in FIG. 14. It should be noted that the beam 50 also has its end having a bias cut in order to avoid any interference from the beam 50 with the ground after removing a short or long span span.

The launching beam 50 also includes an electric motor 69 intended to drive in translation a span relative to the beam 50. The motor 69 is housed in the beam 50 and has two opposite coaxial axes of outlet 69a respectively passing through the two side walls of the beam 50 and each carrying a driving pinion 70. The motor 69 is fixed to the upper wall of the beam 50 by fixing lugs 71. The two lateral driving pinions 70 mesh respectively on two racks 72 arranged symmetrically to the longitudinal axis of the chassis 5 of the truck 1 and integral with a span 2, 3.

The beam 50 also includes a device 73 for maneuvering the end nozzles 74 of the span 2, 3, which will be detailed below, and which comprises two opposite coaxial axes 75 movable along an axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the chassis 5 of the truck 1 by a jack 76 with two rods 77, the two ends of which are coupled respectively to two lateral arms 78 integral with the axes 75 perpendicularly to these. The axes 75 each comprise a grooved part 75a housed in an internally grooved sleeve 79 rotatably supported in a casing 80 fixed under the upper wall of the beam 50. The grooved part of each axis 75 is extended by a drive part 81 crossing the corresponding side wall of the beam 50 and ending with a square drive end piece 82, the connection of an arm 78 to the axis 75 being substantially in the junction portion between the grooved part 75a and the part d drive 81. A pinion with straight teeth 83 is fixed on the middle portion of the sleeve 79 perpendicularly to the latter and meshes with another lower pinion with straight teeth 84 secured to an axis 85 rotatably supported in the lower part of the casing 80 parallel to the sleeve 79. The axis 85 supports at its two ends respectively two pinions 86 driven by two chains or drive belts 87 is wound t respectively on two lateral motor pinions 88 integral with an output shaft of a drive motor 89 fixed under the upper wall of the beam 50. The motor 89 thus makes it possible to rotate the sleeve 79 and therefore the axes 75, which then occupy the active position shown in dotted lines in FIG. 19 where the square end pieces 82 are housed respectively in two holes of conjugate shape of two sleeves 90 each mounted to rotate in the span 2, 3. The movement of the axes 75 between a inactive position retracted in FIG. 19 and the active position is of course allowed thanks to the grooved parts 75a under the control of the jack 76.

The two spans 2, 3 are of identical structures and are thus each formed of two parallelepipedic caissons 91 paired by a spacer plate 92 flush with the upper walls of the caissons 91, which form tracks of vehicle rolling. The track of each box 91 is extended at its ends by a downward track at each end of which is articulated around a transverse axis a spout 74, the upper wall of which is an extension of the downward track in the deployed position. beak. The access spouts 74 are thus configured to facilitate vehicle access to the tracks when in the deployed position or to allow vehicles to smoothly leave the tracks. Each spout 74 can be folded down and locked on the corresponding downward path of the box so as to ensure the continuity of the box 91.

To rotate each access spout 74 from a folded position to a deployed position or vice versa, the operating device 73 is completed as follows. A shaft 93 is rotatably supported by a stirrup 94 fixed in the corresponding box 91 at the bottom of the latter. The shaft 93 extends transversely in the box 91 in extension of the sleeve 90 which crosses the internal side wall of the box 91. The shaft 93 comprises, integral with the latter, a pinion 95 driving, by means of a chain or a toothed belt C1, another pinion 96 secured to a shaft 97 parallel to the shaft 93 and rotatably supported on a stirrup 98 also fixed to the bottom of the box 91. A third pinion 99 is fixed to the rotary shaft 97 and drives, by the intermediary of a chain or a toothed belt C2 extending in the box forming the downward rolling track substantially over the entire length thereof, a fourth pinion 100 secured to a rotary axis 101 parallel to the shaft 93 and located behind the pivot axis of the corresponding access spout 74, if we consider FIG. 9. The axis 101 is rotatably supported in a support bearing 102 , for example through ball bearings, extending from the external lateral wall of the casing 91 towards the interior thereof. The axis 101 ends with a square end piece 101a projecting externally and engaged in a conjugate square hole produced through an external fork 103 between the fingers 104 from which is engaged an axis or pin 105 integral with the external face of the external lateral wall of the spout 74. The axis 105 is disposed at a certain distance from the pivot axis of the corresponding spout 74 so as to be kept constantly in engagement between the fingers 104 of the fork 103 whatever the position, folded down or deployed, of the spout 74. The pinions 95, 96, 97 and 100 form a reduction allowing the deployment or the folding down of each spout 74 according to relatively low forces. In the deployed position of a spout 74, the corresponding fork 103 occupies a substantially elongated or lying position while in the folded position of the spout 74, the fork 103 occupies a position approximately perpendicular to the raceway of the casing 91 and of maintaining the corresponding spout 74 in the folded position.

Each span 2, 3 from the start of the launch phase of the latter, is supported by the launch beam 50 by the rollers 57 and 61 on which move two guide rails 106, each with a U-shaped cross section. elongated, respectively secured to the two internal side walls facing two twin boxes 91. The two guide rails 106 are arranged symmetrically in the vertical median plane of a span. The boxes 91 of each span are thus arranged on either side of the launching beam 50 to translate all along the latter without interference. The racks 72 are preferably fixed directly and respectively on the two guide rails 106. The end nozzles 74 also include guide rails 107 fixed to the two internal lateral walls facing two spouts located on the same side, on which racks 108 are fixed directly, the rails 107 having their bevelled ends in order to facilitate the 'engagement and disengagement of the rollers 57, 61 in and these rails. When the spouts 74 are deployed, the rails 107 are in extension of the rails 106 so as to obtain a continuous rail all along the span. When the spouts are folded down, the rails 107 do not hinder the passage of the launching beam 50.

As already mentioned previously, the two span 2 and 3 can be mechanically coupled and locked end to end to form a span of greater length.

An embodiment of a device for coupling and locking two spans end to end has already been described in European patent application EP-A-0 407 274 filed in the name of the applicant. Thus, the locking device ensuring the end-to-end coupling of two spans consists of the same locking device intended to rigidly fix each spout of a span, for example 2, in the deployed position and comprises a latch assembly consisting of first aligned transverse locking axes 109 secured to the front face 74a of a spout 74 in the folded position and locking hooks 110 of the axes 109 secured to the front face 91a of the box 91 (see FIG. 10), the axes 109 and the locking hooks 110 projecting on the same side from the front faces 74a and 91a. When the nozzles 74 are brought into the deployed position by their respective operating devices 73, the axes 109 engage automatically in the locking hooks 110, the unlocking of which can be carried out manually by maneuvering an unlocking lever 111 simultaneously controlling the hooks 110. The coupling and locking of two spans takes place when the spouts 74 are in the folded position. So that the coupling and the locking of the span 2 to the span 3 can be carried out, it is of course necessary that the front face 74a of each spout 74 of the span 3 comprises the locking hooks 110 in which will engage the locking pins 109 of the span 2 while the front face 91a of each box 91 of the span 3 comprises the locking pins 109 engaging in the locking hooks 110 of the front face 91a of the box 91 of the span 2 .

In the transport position, the lower span 3 rests near its rear end close to the cab 4 of the truck 1 on a fixed support structure 112 formed of lattice beams 113 defining a horizontal support platform fixed on two parallel angles support 114 in inverted L fixed, by welding or bolting, to the side walls of the corset beam 6 at the locations referenced by 115. The support platform of the structure 112 comprises a certain number, in this case four, of pads fixed sliding 116 extending parallel along the longitudinal axis of the chassis 5 of the truck 1 and allowing the lower span 3 to slide during its translation relative to the support structure 112. Stops 117 integral with the structure 112 are provided respectively at the ends of the sliding shoes 116 in order to prevent the lower span 3 from hitting the cab 4 of the truck 1 when sque the front of span 3 is raised.

The front end of the lower span 3 rests on a lifting device 118 comprising two support plates 119 approximately in the shape of an inverted T fixed by their heads respectively to the side walls of the corset beam 6 at the locations one of which is designated by 120. The ends of the legs of the support plates 119 support an axis 121 arranged transversely to the longitudinal axis of the chassis 5 and serving as pivoting for a part forming a lifting arm 122 in the form of an approximately isosceles triangle plate with lattice beams, the base of which comprises two stirrups 123 for supporting respectively two spaced transverse rollers 124 on which the lower span 3 bears. The pivoting of the part forming the lifting arm 122 is controlled by two lateral jacks 125, the rods of which are connected swivel under the part 122 and the bodies are fixed to the two side walls of the pou be corset 6 by means of fixing plates 126 fastened to locations, one of which bears the reference 127 in FIG. 25.

Figures 4 and 5 show the locations of the support plates 119 and control cylinders 125 such that the main beam 13 can move in translation without being hindered by, or interfere with any other element of the system.

Two feet 127 for lateral stabilization of the truck 1 are hingedly attached around a vertical axis to the two side walls of the corset beam 6 by means of two fixing plates 128 secured to the corset beam 6 at locations respectively, one of which is indicated at 129 in FIG. 25. Each foot 127 has an L-shaped part 130, the large leg of which carries, at its end opposite the articulated leg to the plate 128, a vertical cylinder 131, the rod 132 of which is hingedly attached around a horizontal axis to a base 133 bearing on the ground. The connection of the rod 132 to the base 133 takes place by a yoke 134.

The principle of depositing a span, which is already apparent in part from the above description of the system, will be detailed with reference to Figures 31 (A) - (O) where the deposited span results from end-to-end assembly upper 2 and lower 3 span.

The truck 1 transports the two spans to the place where the breach B is to be crossed and approaches it in reverse to the location shown in Figure 31 (A). During transport, the lower span 3 rests on the support structure 112 and the lifting device 122 while the upper span 2, still in engagement with the launching beam 50, rests on the lower span 3 due to the loosening of the pressure in the hydraulic cylinders 18, 40 orienting the tilting plate 31, it being understood that in the launching phase, the pressurization of the cylinders 40 slightly raises the upper span 2 which then rests entirely on the launching beam 50 and does not is thus more in contact with the lower span 3.

Once the truck 1 comes back to the breach B and is positioned at the correct distance from the edge thereof, the feet 127 for lateral stabilization are put in place and the main beam 13 is moved relative to the corset beam 6 towards the breach B by supplying the motor 8 which rotates the motor pinion 11 in gear with the rack 16. By translating, the main beam 13 drives with it the upper span 2 resting on the launch beam 50 as shown in Figure 31 (B). The beam 13 then occupies an extension position of the chassis 5 increasing the lever arm for resumption of the forces resulting from the later cantilevered positions of the span and of the launching beam 50.

The anti-tilt foot is put in vertical position by successively supplying the hydraulic cylinders 48 and 42, as shown in Figure 31 (C).

The upper span 2 is driven in translation on the launching beam 50 in a guided manner by the guide rails 106 moving on the running rollers 57, 61 by supplying the electric motor 69 driving the motor pinions 70 in engagement with the racks 72 FIG. 31 (D) represents the span 2 moved to a position where its rear end is substantially perpendicular to the rear end of the launching beam 50.

The launching beam 50 is then moved relative to the tilting plate 31 towards the breach B by feeding the motor 54 which drives the motor pinion 55 in engagement with the rack 53 of the beam 50. This movement is carried out until the door position -to launch false beam 50 shown in Figure 31 (E), which also shows that the front spouts 74 of the span 2 were deployed by first supplying the cylinder 76 which moves transversely in opposite directions the two axes 75, whose square end pieces engage in the sleeves 90, then by supplying the electric motor 89 which simultaneously drives the two axes 75 in rotation so that the two transmissions with chains or belts C1, C2 tilt the two forks 103 from the vertical position to the lying position.

The jack 18 is then supplied so as to pull the chains or cables 22 in a direction making the tilting plate 31 pivot in the counterclockwise direction around the pivot axis 30. The tilting of the plate 31 orients the span 2 as shown in Figure 31 (F). The cylinders 125 of the device 118 are also supplied to rotate the part forming the lifting arm 122 anti-clockwise and thus raise the front of the lower span 3 to a position where it is in extension of the span upper inclined 2.

The electric motor 69 is supplied so that the drive pinions 70 move the upper span 2 relative to the beam 50 towards the cab 4 of the truck 1. This displacement allows the span 2 to be coupled and locked to the span 3 by engagement locking axes of span 2 to span 3 by engagement of the locking axes 110 of span 3 and locking axes 109 of span 3 in the locking hooks 110 of span 2. This configuration is shown in Figure 31 (G).

The large span T thus formed is then moved on the launching beam 50 towards the breach B to a position where the transverse median plane of the span T is approximately coincident with that of the beam 50 as shown in FIG. 31 (H ).

The beam 50 and span T assembly is brought to a substantially horizontal position as shown in FIG. 31 (I) by tilting the plate 31 clockwise using the jack 18, the rod 20 of which is outlet to a corresponding release position of the chains or retaining cables 22.

The rear spouts 74 of the span T in fact those of the lower span 3, are deployed and the span T is moved relative to the launching beam 50 to an end position in cantilever position as shown in Figure 31 (J).

The plate 31 is then tilted clockwise using the jack 18 and the chains or cables 22 until the cantilevered end of the span T comes to bear on the edge of the breach B opposite that on the side of truck 1 as shown in Figure 31 (K).

The launching beam 50 is then slightly moved on the plate 31 towards the cab 4 of the truck 1 so as to release the two pairs of rollers 57 from the guide rails 107 as shown in FIG. 31 (L).

The launching beam 50 is tilted completely clockwise by tilting the plate 31 using the jack 18 and chains or cables 22 in order to bring the end of the span T in contact with the edge of breach B located on the side of the truck, as shown in Figure 31 (M).

The anti-tilt foot 42, 43 is then folded back in the stowed position in the main beam 13 which is brought back to the transport storage position on the corset beam 6, which has the effect of releasing the pairs of rollers 61 from the span 50 guide rails 107 of the span T as shown in Figure 31 (N).

The span 50 is then brought back to a horizontal position by tilting anti-clockwise the plate 31 and is moved on the plate 31 to the cab 4 of the truck 1 to be in the transport position shown in Figure 31 (O ).

The span T is thus deposited on the breach B to allow vehicles, such as tanks, military trucks or other motorized vehicles to cross the breach B.

Figures 32 (A) to 32 (H) show the different phases enabling the upper span 2 to be removed only on the gap B. The principle of removing this span is identical to that described with reference to Figures 31 (A) - (O), whose phases (A) to (D) have not been repeated in FIG. 31. Of course, the phases of assembly of the two upper 2 and lower 3 spans have been omitted. It is therefore not necessary to describe in detail the phases shown in Figures 32 (A) - (H) which are self-explanatory.

Figures 33 (A) - (N) show the principle of depositing the lower span 3 on a second breach B after the upper span (2) has been previously deposited on a first breach B or on the second breach to allow the passage of it for a larger number of vehicles.

Once the truck 1 is positioned relative to the breach B and the feet 127 for lateral stabilization put in place, the launching beam 50 is moved into a cantilevered launching position relative to the main beam 13, as is shown in Figure 33 (A).

The beam 50 and the lower span 3 are aligned by tilting the plate 31 counterclockwise using the jack 18 and the cables or retaining chains 22 and lifting the front of the span 3 by the lifting device 118. The launching beam 50 is then moved on the tilting plate 31 towards the cab 4 of the truck 1 and therefore towards the storage position, which has the effect of engaging the rollers 57, 61 of the beam 50 in the guide rails 106, 107 of the span 3 (see figure 33 (B), (C).

The main beam 13 is moved relative to the corset beam 6 towards the breach B by driving with it the span 3 supported by the launching beam 50, as shown in Figure 33 (D).

Figure 33 (E) shows the positioning of the anti-tilt foot 42, 43 while Figure 33 (F) shows the beam 50 and span 3 assembly in the horizontal upright position using the plate 31 controlled by the jack 18 and the chains or cables 22.

The beam 50 and span 3 assembly is moved in translation on the plate 31 towards the breach B to a launching position in cantilever as shown in FIG. 33 (G).

The different phases shown successively in Figures 3 (H) to 33 (N) are identical to those described in Figures 32 (B) to 32 (H) and therefore do not have to be described.

Of course, the recovery on the ground of the span, short or long, is carried out according to the different phases considered starting from Figure 31 (O) to Figure 31 (A), from Figure 32 (H) to Figure 32 (A) or Figure 33 (N) to Figure 33 (A).

The system according to the invention described above is of relatively simple structure and operation compared to the system described in EP-0 374 019 in the name of the applicant. In addition, insofar as the corset beam 6 supports the whole system for transporting spans and removing it, it is the only element to be adapted on a truck to allow this assembly to be mounted on another truck. identical structure. This feature makes it easy to equip all standard trucks that can be used to transport and remove spans. It should also be noted that the various electric motors used in the system of the invention can be replaced by hydraulic motors or any other suitable type of motor.

Claims (26)

1. System on a road vehicle such as a truck (1) for the transport of at least one bridging element (2 ; 3) intended for the crossing of a ditch (B) and for the laying down of the bridging element (2 ; 3) over the ditch (B) from the vehicle (1), comprising a beam (50) for supporting and launching the bridging element (2 ; 3), disposed approximately along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle (1), displaceable in relation to the vehicle along this axis between an inoperative position on the vehicle and a launching position in a cantilever relation to the vehicle (1) in which the bridging element (2 ; 3) is positively driven according to a translatory motion in a guided manner on the launching beam (50) also in a cantilever position in relation to the launching beam (50) which in these cantilever positions may pivot about a stationary horizontal axis (30) until the bridging element (2 ;3) is caused to bear at first with its cantilever end upon that edge of the ditch (B) which is opposite to that located towards the vehicle (1) and then with its end opposite to the ditch edge towards the vehicle (1), the launching beam (50) being then disengaged from the bridging element (2; 3) which is thus laid down upon the ditch (B), the launching beam (50) being supported by an orientable plate (31) tilting about the stationary axis (30) and being thus positively driven in a guided manner in a translatory motion on the tilting plate (31), characterized in that it comprises a main beam (13) supporting the tilting plate (31) and mounted onto the chassis (5) of the vehicle (1) in a manner displaceable in translatory motion along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle (1) to a position of extension from the vehicle increasing the lever arm taking up the forces resulting from the cantilever positions of the bridging element (2 ; 3) and of the launching beam (50).
2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the main beam (13) is supported by a corset beam (6) fastened to the chassis (5) of the vehicle (1) and is positively driven in a guided fashion in translatory motion on the corset beam (6).
3. System according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the bridging element (2 ; 3) is bilaterally guided in relation to the launching beam (50) during its controlled displacements by a guiding unit with rolling rollers (57, 61) and corresponding guide rails (106, 107) moving on the rollers.
4. System according to claim 3, characterized in that the aforesaid guide rails (106, 107) are fastened to the bridging element (2 ; 3) and the rolling rollers (57, 61) are fastened to the launching beam (50).
5. System according to one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the means for driving the bridging element (2 ; 3) on the launching beam (50) comprise an electric motor (69) made fast to the launching beam (50) and two parallel toothed side racks (72, 108) made fast to the bridging element (2 ; 3) with which are meshing two drive pinions (70), respectively, driven by the rotary shaft of the electric motor (69).
6. System according to claim 5, characterized in that both aforesaid toothed racks (72, 108) are fastened directly onto both aforesaid guide rails (106, 107), respectively, each one having a cross-section shaped as a lying U.
7. System according to one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the means for driving the launching beam (50) comprise an electric motor (54) fastened underneath the tilting plate (31), a toothed rack (53) longitudinally fastened below the launching beam (50) and a drive gear (55) driven by the rotary shaft of the motor (54) and meshing with the toothed rack (53).
8. System according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the launching beam (50) is assembled to the tilting plate (31) by a dovetail-shaped guiding (51, 52) whereas the main beam (13) is assembled to the corset beam (6) also by a dovetail-shaped guiding (14, 15).
9. System according to one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that the means for driving the main beam (13) comprise an electric motor (8) made fast to the corset beam (6), a toothed rack (16) longitudinally fastened underneath the main beam (13) and a drive gear (11) driven by the rotary shaft of the motor (8) and meshing with the toothed rack (16).
10. System according to one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the means for the orientation of the tilting plate (31) comprise on the one hand at least one element (22) for retaining the plate (31) such as a wire or chain fastened below the tilting plate (31) at some distance from the tilting axis (30) of the plate (31) and a member (18) for operating the retaining element and which may be actuated either for pulling the retaining element (22) and causing the tilting plate (31) to pivot in the counter-clockwise direction or for releasing the retaining element (22) so as to allow the bridging element (2 ;3) - launching beam (50) - tilting plate (31) assembly to freely pivot about the tilting axis (30) in the clockwise direction and on the other hand a counter-plate device (35) pivoting about the tilting axis (30) of the tilting plate (31) and exerting a thrust force underneath the tilting plate (31) to keep the latter in particular in an approximately horizontal position of supporting the bridging element (2 ; 3).
11. System according to claim 10, characterized in that the counter-plate device (35) comprises two arms (36) pivoting about the aforesaid tilting axis (30) and two operating members (40) acting upon both ends, respectively, of the arms (36) for pushing them below the tilting plate (31).
12. System according to claim 10, characterized in that the aforesaid control member (18) is a hydraulic jack the body of which is fastened to the main beam (13) and the rod (20) of which is connected to the retaining element (22), which extends longitudinally of the main beam (13) and is returned to the tilting plate (31) by a guide pulley (28).
13. System according to claim 11, characterized in that both aforesaid operating members are hydraulic jacks (40) the bodies of which are fastened to the main beam (13) and the rods of which are connected to the aforesaid operating arms (36).
14. System according to one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the bridging element (2 ; 3) comprises two parallel substantially parallelepipedic twin box members (91) defining two upper treadways and two outrigger ramps (74) pivotally mounted onto both ends, respectively, of each box member (91) about a transverse pivot axis and controlled in such a manner that each outrigger ramp (74) assumes either a position folded back onto the box member (91) and of continuity of the latter or an extended position in extension of the box member (91) permitting vehicles to accede to the treadways and to leave them softly once the bridging element (2 ; 3) is laid down above the ditch (B) to be crossed.
15. System according to claim 14, characterized in that both outrigger ramps (74) located on a same side of two box members, respectively, of the bridging element (2 ; 3) are simultaneously operated by a control device comprising a motor (89) driving two coaxial shafts (75) extending transversely of the launching beam (50) while extending through both side walls, respectively, of the latter, a jack (76) with a double rod made fast to the launching beam (50) which may drive both shafts (75) slidably mounted between an inoperative retracted position and a positive operative position for driving both operating forks (103) pivotally mounted onto the outer sides, respectively, of both box members (91) about an axis near the pivot axis of the outrigger ramps (74) and each one in engagement with an external axis (105) made fast to the corresponding outrigger ramp (74), the forks (103) assuming a lying position in the extended position of the outrigger ramps (74) and a raised position approximately perpendicular to the treadways in the swing-back position of the outrigger ramps (74).
16. System according to claim 15, characterized in that both aforesaid shafts (75) have each one at their end a square drive stub (82) engaging in the operative position a rotary socket of complementary shape (90) extending through the internal wall or side of one box member (91) and mounted endwise of a rotary shaft (93) disposed transversely within the box member (91) and driving the pivot axis of the corresponding fork (103) through the medium of a transmission with sprocket wheels (91, 96, 99, 100) and belts or chains (C1, C2) disposed endwise of the box member (91).
17. System according to claims 3 and 4 and to one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the aforesaid guide rails (106) are fastened to the mutually confronting internal walls or sides, respectively, of both box members (91) of the bridging element (2 ; 3) in such a manner that the launching beam (50) be disposed between both box members (91) and in that the end outrigger ramps (74) comprise guide rails (107) fastened to the internal walls thereof and arranged in extension of the guide rails (106) of the box members (91) when they are in the extended position.
18. System according to claim 17, characterized in that the guide rails (107) of the outrigger ramps (74) have their ends bevelled to facilitate the engagement or the disengagement of the rolling rollers (57, 61) with or from the rails.
19. System according to one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that it comprises another bridging element (3) or lower bridging element onto which is resting in the transport position the aforesaid bridging element (2) or upper bridging element and which may be either laid down over a ditch after laying down the upper bridging element or coupled and mechanically locked to the upper bridging element (2) in extension of the latter to form one bridging element of great length (T) which is then laid down over a corresponding ditch to be spanned.
20. System according to claim 19, characterized in that the lower bridging element (3) rests at its rear end near the cabin (4) of the vehicle (1) upon a stationary support structure (112) with slide skids (116) made fast to the corset beam (6) and at its front end upon a device (118) for lifting the lower bridging element (3) fastened to the corset beam (6) and comprising a portion forming a lifting arm (122) pivoting about a stationary pin (121) transverse to the corset beam (6), which portion (122) comprises at least one roll (124) for the bearing of the lower bridging element (3).
21. System according to claim 20, characterized in that the lifting device (118) is operated in such a manner that the arm portion (122) lifts the front end of the lower bridging element (3) when the upper bridging element (2) is in an overhanging position on the launching beam (50) inclined by the same angle as that of the lower bridging element (3) through actuation of the tilting plate (31) in order that the lower bridging element (3) be in alignment with the upper bridging element (2) which is then displaced on the launching beam (50) towards the lower bridging element (3) to be coupled and mechanically locked thereto, in that the launching beam (50) is then rightened by the tilting plate (31) in an approximately horizontal position in which end outrigger ramps (74) of the big bridging element (T) are extended and the big bridging element (T) is then displaced on the launching beam (50) into an overhanging position at which the tilting plate (31) is driven in the clockwise direction for laying the big bridging element (T) down.
22. System according to claims 19 and 20, characterized in that to only lay down the lower bridging element (3), the launching beam (50) is brought into the overhanging position ; the lifting device (118) is controlled so that the arm portion (122) raises the front end of the lower bridging element (3) ; the tilting plate (31) is oriented in order that the launching beam (50) and the lower bridging element (3) be aligned ; the launching element (50) is brought back into the transport position for engaging its rolling rollers (57, 61) with guide rails (106, 107) of the lower bridging element (3) ; the main beam (13) is displaced into the position of extension while carrying along therewith the lower bridging element (3) supported by the launching beam (50), which is then rightened by the tilting plate (31) to an approximately horizontal position ; end outrigger ramps (74) of the lower bridging element (3) are extended and the bridging element is brought in the overhanging position on the launching beam (50) ; and the tilting plate (31) is driven in the clockwise direction for laying the lower bridging element (3) down over the corresponding ditch (B).
23. System according to one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the launching beam (50) comprises at least two pairs of rolling rollers, a rear pair (57) and a front pair (61) and the front pair of rollers (61) is mounted onto a bogie device (64) permitting an angular excursion of the rollers (61) during the retraction of the launching beam (50) from the associated bridging element laid down over the ditch or when again taking up the bridging element.
24. System according to claim 23, characterized in that the aforesaid bogie device comprises approaching studs (68) facilitating the positioning of the rolling rollers (61) within the guide rails of the bridging element (2 ; 3) in particular during the taking up of the bridging element from the ground.
25. System according to one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that it comprises an anti-tipping foot (42, 43) pivoting about the aforesaid pivot axis (30) made fast to the main beam (13) and caused to bear telescopically on the ground by a pivoted anti-tipping base (44), the anti-tipping foot being retractable into the main beam (13) in inoperative stowing position.
26. System according to one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that it comprises two feet (127) for the lateral stabilization fastened in a pivoting manner to the main beam (13).

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