GB2133067A - Shore ramp for floating bridges, amphibious vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

A shore ramp 1 is provided with a ramp foot 2 and an extension ramp 10. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Shore ramp for floating bridges The invention relates to a shore ramp for floating bridges and also generally for amphibious vehicles. Floating bridges of this type are provided, as a rule, with ramps which are articulated to and pivotable on the floating body or pontoon of the vessel or vehicle and which, on the one hand, serve to connect the individual vehicles to a floating bridge and, on the other, serve for spanning the gap between the vehicle edge of the end vehicle of a floating bridge and the shore.

Particularly in the case of floating bridges, difficulties often arise in spanning the gap between the end vehicle or vessel of the floating bridge adjacent the shore and the shore itself. If the floating bridge is too long, this end vehicle undergoes ground or bottom contact and necessarily sustains corresponding damage. If the bridge is too short, the length of the ramp is no longer sufficient to span the gap, at least while maintaining an acceptable gradient angle.

It has now been found that ramp gradients between, for example, the end vessel or vehicle of a floating bridge and the shore should not exceed about 1 5% or 8.5 degrees. If the shore ramp is steeper, whether from the bridge upwards the shore or, downwards, in the case of gently sloping shores, a safe passage of the ramp section by wheeled vehicles or tracked vehicles is no longer ensured since, in particular, such ramps soon become fouled almost as a matter of principle.

Moreover, an excessively steep angle can result in damage to the exhaust and tail part of small wheeled-vehicles travelling thereover.

Particularly in the case of floating bridges, the further problem arises that the maximum possible bridge length is determined by the depth of submersion to be allowed for as a result of traffic loads on the last floating vehicle adjacent to the shore. It is necessary to prevent seating on the ground or bottom, so as to avoid damage to the base of the vehicle floating body. If upon building the bridge it is found that the prescribed submersion depth is not present, it is necessary to reduce the overall length of the bridge by removing one bridge vehicle or one bridge section.

However, it may then happen that, despite the already too steep ramp gradient, the ramp tip of the shore ramp is no longer in contact with the ground. Accordingly, the bridge can no longer be - secured at the ramp tip and practically cannot then be used. In use, therefore, it has been almost impossible to maintain the submersion depth whereupon damage to the floating bodies of the vehicles was to be expected.

The invention is based on the object of devising ways and means of how a shore ramp can be further developed, so as to maintain ramp gradients keeping within the limits of the initially indicated gradient angle, for practically all conceivable cases, whether it is a gently sloping or so-called flat shore, whether it is a so-called "green" bank or whether it is a steep bank.

The invention achieves the object set with a shore ramp having a ramp extension which is designed substantially as a ramp foot extending transversely below the ramp rip, articulated to this latter and secured in a bending resistant manner to the ramp via an arm, to which ramp foot an extension ramp can be articulated with like articulation means.

The bending resistant arm is preferably so designed that it can be connected to the coupling, provided per se in the ramp. for the ramp cylinder of the amphibious vehicle.

The extension ramp can be designed as a ramp section per se of any length-desired, according to the conditions to be dealt with. In the simplest case, a normal ramp, of the-type accompanying amphibious vehicles, can be articulated to the ramp foot.

If so-called tidal terrain is to be spanned, the ramp extension can be extended practically without limit by as many further articulated ramp feet and extension ramps as desired.

The invention will be explained in more detail on the basis of the following description of one embodiment of the subject-matter of the invention with two practical examples, illustrated merely diagrammatically and by way of example in the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 shows the ramp extension in side view; Figure 2 illustrates a cross-section through the ramp foot along the lines Il-Il in Figure; Figure 3 shows a practical example of an application; and Figure 4 illustrates a further practical example of an application.

For the ramp extension of a shore ramp 1 of a floating bridge there is provided essentially a ramp foot 2 which extends transversely below a ramp tip 3 of the ramp 1 and is connected articulatedly thereto. This articulated connection is effected by means of eyes 4 provided per se on the ramp tip and projections 5 which are arranged between these eyes on the ramp foot and which can be connected with one another by means of pins.

Furthermore, the ramp foot 2 is provided with an arm 6 extending at right angles to its principal extent and in the middle thereof, the free end 7 of which arm can be secured at the coupling 8 provided per se in the ramp 1. A resistant to bending connection of the ramp foot 2 to the ramp 1 is thereby obtained.

The ramp foot is then provided with further projections 9 in mirror-image to its projections 5 and from which an extension ramp 10 can then be suspended in the same way as in relation to the ramp tip 3. The ramp foot 2 seats with its underside 11 on the shore slope 1 2.

The two practical examples of applications illustrate what can be achieved with this apparatus. For example, Figure 3 illustrates its use on a so-called "green" shore. It is to be assumed that a floating bridge with one further vehicle would be too long, namely ground or bottom contact in the shore region, to be avoided as far as possible, would take place and then with minimum bridge length the distance between the shore slope 12 and the bridge vehicle 13 lying closest to the shore is too great for it to be possible to span this distance with a reasonable gradient of the ramp 1. Even if the ramp 1 were to be lowered as far as the zone 14 of the shore slope 12 on which the ramp foot 2 is seated, it would then be necessary for the shore slope 12 to be flattened to a considerably greater extent, as is necessary in Figure 3 with the extension ramp 10.

Figure 4 illustrates an example of application with a very gently sloping bank. It would not be possible for the ramp 1 to be lowered as far as the zone 14 on which the ramp foot 2 rests. Firstly, the gradient would be too steep and, secondly, the lateral floating body 1 3' of the bridge vehicle would obstruct such considerable lowering. A reasonable gradient of the ramp can be maintained by the ramp foot 2 and the extension ramp 10. Likewise, the immersion depth into the water is no longer so great for vehicles passing over the ramp. Without the ramp extension, the ramp tip 3 of the ramp 1 would not even be in contact with the ground.

Instead of the illustrated extension ramp, a conventional ramp 1 could also be suspended from the ramp foot. According to the prevailing shore conditions, further improvements can be achieved here, if necessary.

The same applies to a steep bank. Here too, the gradient of the normal ramp would initially be much too steep without extension. A considerable amount of excavation on the bank would be necessary. If the ramp is extended, either the gradient can be decreased and/or the amount of excavation reduced.

Claims (5)

1. A shore ramp for floating bridges, wherein for extension of the ramp there is provided a ramp foot which extends substantially transversely below the ramp tip, which is articulated to this latter and which is secured in bending-resistant manner to the ramp via an arm, an extension ramp being articulated to the ramp foot with like connecting means in mirror-image arrangement.

2. A shore ramp for floating bridges according to Claim 1 , wherein for the resistant to bending connection of the ramp foot to the ramp, the arm can be connected to the coupling, provided per se in the ramp, for the ramp cylinders of amphibious vehicles.

3. A shore ramp for floating bridges according to Claims 1 and 2, wherein a conventional ramp accompanying amphibious vehicles is used as an extension ramp.

4. A shore ramp according to Claims 1 to 3, wherein as many further ramp feet and extension ramps as desired can be articulated.

5. A shore ramp for floating bridges substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.