GB2202882A

GB2202882A - A transportable bridge assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2202882A
Application number: GB08802912A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gunter Beier
Original assignee: Salzgitter AG
Current assignee: Salzgitter AG
Priority date: 1987-02-21
Filing date: 1988-02-09
Publication date: 1988-10-05
Anticipated expiration: 2008-02-09
Also published as: GB2202882B; DE3705652A1; GB8802912D0; DE3705652C2

Abstract

A transportable bridge assembly comprises two track support members (1, 2) and a central decking (4) which interconnects the track support members (1, 2). The decking (4) is supported on transverse brackets (5) which are pivotably mounted on the track support members (1, 2) the central decking being adapted to be pivotable with respect to the support members (1, 2) by the provision lines of pivot joints or hinges (3) which extend in the longitudinal direction of the bridge assembly. <IMAGE>

Description

A TflANSPORTABL BRIDGE ASSEMBLY The present invention relates to a transportable bridge assembly. Bridges of this type are known and are used as a temporary expedient to span crevasses or stretches of water. They are particularly used in pioneering and civil and military engineering work, when natural obstacles render the use ofconventional land vehicles impossible.

Numerous transportable bridges are already known, the width of which can be reduced for transportation.

One type of known bridge is disclosed in German Offenlegungsschrift No. 3145582. This bridge comprises two parallel track supports which are displaceable towards and away from one another. The supports are interconnected by a plurality of bar members which are pivotable in the longitudinal direction of the bridge. However, such a bridge suffers fro certain disadvantages. Firstly, only a slight change in width is possible. Secondly, it is very labour-intensive because of the large number of pivot joints which are necessary and it also has a tendency to be unreliable.

Another known type of bridge is disclosed in German Offenlegungsschrift No. 2850849 and comprises two parallel track supports which are interconnected by a plurality of crossbars. For transportation purposes, the track supports are telescoped downwardly. In such a transportation mode, however, there is no possibility of placing two or more bridges one upon the other.

For transportation purposes, the track supports are displaced until they lie adjacent one another, without a space therebetween, the loading surface of the vehicle. However, to achieve this, it is necessary for the crossbars to have been removed. In addition, such a known bridge necessitates the carrying-out of a number of operations and the use of an additional vehicle which is fitted with a crane, involving some manual work, in order to convert the bridge from or to its operational state to or from its transportation state.

A further known type of bridge is disclosed in German Offenlegungsschrift o. 3138853. Such a bridge includes two track supports which are pivotally mounted on a central portion and are folded beneath the central portion for transportation of the bridge. Even in such known arrangement, a number of operations need to be carried out at the site where the bridge is to be assembled to assemble the bridge into its operational state and some of these operations can only be effected utilising an additional vehicle which is fitted with a crane.

The present invention seeks to provide a bridge assembly in which the disadvantages of such known bridge arrangements are eliminated in that it can be laid in a comparatively simple manner in a less labour-intensive manner whilst still being readily transportable.

According to the present invention there is therefore provided a transportable bridge assembly comprising two parallel track support members and a central decking which interconnect,s the track support members, the central decking being supported on transversely extending brackets which are pivotably mounted on the track support members the central decking being adapted to be pivotable with respect to the support members by lines of pivot joints or hinges which extend in the longitudinal direction of the bridge.

The present invention therefore provides a bridge assembly which is formed from a relatively small number of simple component parts and which can be used to carry a wide variety of loads. ILowever, such a bridge assembly can still be converted into a transportation state which is viable for road haulage, even if the bridge assembly, in its operational state, is relatively wide. The bridge assembly according to the present invention can be transported in a plurality of layers and can be rapidly converted from the transporting state to an operational state by, for example, merely providing a suitable displacement mechanism on the transportation vehicle. The need for additional vehicles which are fitted with cranes and the like the need for personnel to carry-out manual work on site externally of the transportation vehicles are obviated.These are of considerable advantage if the bridge assembly is being used for nilitary purposes.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the central decking is supported on the transverse brackets by plug-in connections. This provides a tension-resistant and pressureresistant corner connection or joint and, in consequence, provides a more reliable connection between the central decking and the track supports.

One embodiment of a bridge assembly in accordance with the present invention will be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic plan view of a bridge assembly according to the present invention operational or extended state and, hence, to be laid.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the bridge assembly shown in Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the bridge in its folded state and, hence ready for transportation.

In the drawings, there is shown a bridge assembly comprising frame members 1 and 2 which lie parallel to each other and serve as track supports. The track supports 1 and 2 are each connected to a central decking portion 4 by a line of pivot joints or hinges 3 which extend in the longitudinal direction of the bridge. The central decking 4 is centrally divided; the two central decking halves also being interconnected by a line of pivot hinges or joints 3. Transversely extending brackets 5 are provided which support the central decking 4. Each bracket 5 is pivotably mounted on its respective track support 1 and 2 through the intermediary of a line of pivot hinges or joints 6.The support regions between the central decking 4 and the transverse brackets 5 have a male and female configuration and constitute a plug-in connection 7 when the bridge is in its state in which it is raady to be laid, as shown in Fig. 2.

The bridge assembly is transportable in one or more layers in the form shown in Fig. 3. It may be brought directly to the site where it is to be laid by means of a haulage vehicle, and once on site, may be automatically converted thereinto a state ready for laying as shown in Fig. 2 by means of a displacement mechanism which is not shown and which is provided on the bridge transportation vehicle. Such a mechanism causes the track supports 1 and 2 to plove away from one another. The transverse brackets 5 are pivoted upwardly and are locked in position beneath the upwardly pivoted central decking 4. The bridge can then be received directly by a laying vehicle and laid in its desired position.

Claims

CLAIIIS

1. A transportable bridge assembly comprising two parallel track support members and a central decking which interconnects the track support members, the central decking being supported on transversely extending brackets which are pivotably mounted on the track support members the central decking being adapted to be pivotable with respect to the support members by lines of pivot joints or hinges which extend in the longitudinal direction of the bridge.

2. A transportable bridge assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the central decking is supported on the transverse brackets by plug-in connections.

3. A transportable bridge assembly as claimed in claim 1 constructed and arranged to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accomapnying drawings.