US1401374A

US1401374A - Bridge

Info

Publication number: US1401374A
Application number: US387656A
Authority: US
Inventors: James M Swonger
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1920-06-09
Filing date: 1920-06-09
Publication date: 1921-12-27
Anticipated expiration: 1938-12-27

Description

im. swonenn, osMANsFIELD, omo.

BRIDGE.

` Speclcaticn of Letterslatentw i Patented Dec. 27, 1921.

sumisa nit :une 9, 1Mo. serial No. 337,356.

To all whom it mq/y concern.' Y

`Be itknown that Il #llamas M. SwoNGER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Mansfield, in the county of Richland and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bridges, of which the following is a specification, reference being had tothe accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to bridge constructions and more particularly to bridge constructions of the t pe wherein spans are used connecting space piers or abutments.

An important object of the invention is to provide a bridge construction wherein the spans are held in position mainly by their own weight, and which consequently reuires the minimum amount of tying own,- which forms one of the most expensive portions of bridge construction.

A further object is to provide a bridge construction which may be located with minimum loss of time in plaoin of the spans in position when the piers are completed.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent throughout the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration are shown preferred embodiments of my invention and wherein like numerals designate like parts throughout Fi re 1 is an elevational view illustrating a bridge construction arran ed in accordance with an embodiment o my invention and of a single s an type; and

Fig. 2 is an e evational view illustrating my improved bridge structure embodying a plurality of spans.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the numeral 10 indicates abutments having their opposing faces tapered as at 11, the abutments being widest at the base l0 thereof. These abutments in practice will be disposed with their rear or outer faces engaging the embankments of the cut which the bridge is to span.

Spans 14 are provided, each com rising a pair of similar sections 14 hinged y connected at their central lower ends as at 15. The ends of the spans are tapered to corres ond to the taper of the faces 11 of the abutments against which they are designed to rest.

In the construction of the bridge in accordance with my invention, due calculations are first made as toexpansibility of the materials used in the formation of the span sections and of the abutments and the length of the span made accordingly, so that when the materials forming the abutments and span are contracted to the maximum, the central vertical meeting edges 17 of the span sections 14 will be engaged in the position shown in the drawings. It will be obvious that expansion of the abutments and span sections will cause the span to rise slightly at the center at its pivot point, this tendency to rise being assisted by the fact that the bottom of the span sections 15 are inclined slightly upwardly toward the center as at 14, The foregoing construction completely prevents buckling of the span 14 and at the same time places the major portion of the weight of the span in an endwise direction against the abutments 11.

When the distance to be bridged is too great for the use of a single span of the type mentioned, a *central pier 18 may be employed having its sides inclined as at 19 in the opposite dlrection from the inclination of the abutments that these piers face. Where intermediate piers are employed, I prefer that the central pier shall be of greater height than the abutments at the ends of the bridge so that the completed bridge will incline upwardly toward the center thereof. By this construction the principle of arch construction is applied, the major portion of the weight being disposed at the ends of the bridge. The pier need not of itself be made higher than the abutments 10 as this inclination may be taken care of by the placement of the spans 14.

The piers and abutments may likewise, if so desired, be provided with shoulders 20 upon which the ends of the span 14 rest. In the completion of the bridge any suitable flexible floor covering 21 may be employed. It will, however, be observed that the rise caused at the central portions of the span by said expansion is not suflicient to matcrially disarrange the floor covering of any type which may be employed.

It will be obvious to those familiar with the art that as many changes are possible in the manner of construction of the spans and abutments shown, the drawings and descriptions accompanying the same are intended to be interpreted merely in an illustrative and not a limiting sense, and I accordingly do not confine myself to the specific structure hereinbefore described, but may make any such changes without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined Claims.

Having now described my invention,

edges of their meeting ends, the outer ends of each span being angled to it the :ingle of divergence of the abutment faces.

2. In :i bridge, a. pair of abutinents :1nd :L

beam engaged therebetween and comprising L plurality of sections hingedly connected at the lower edges of their meeting ends.

In testimony whereof l hereunto :LHiX my signature.

JAMES M SWONGER.