US349345A - Solomon h - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.)

S. H. GODMAN.

' BRIDGE. No. 349,345. Patented Sept. 21, 1886 WITNESSES. I I 11v VEJVTOR.

N. PETERS. Pholrldhognphun Wasnm m. u:c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SOLOMON H. GODMAN, OF INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA.

\ BRIDGE.

BPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 349,345, dated September 21, 1886.

Application filed June 12, 1885.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SOLOMON H. GODMAN, of the city of Indianapolis, county of Marion, and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bridges, of which the following is a specification.

As is well known to those familiar with the art of bridge-building, the scarcity of stone in certain localities and-its consequent high price has created a demand for a substitute therefor in the construction of the substructures of bridges. Iron pillars have been used as a substitute, but owing to faulty arrangement and connection to the bridge have failed to satisfactorily perform the functions of a firm steady, and durable structure, and necessitates the building of wooden approaches to the bridge, which are neither sightly nor durable.

My said invention consists, therefore, in the construction and arrangement of a substructure and its connection to the bridge, whereby the above disadvantages are avoided, and a strong, durable, and firm structure produced, and a solid earth approach provided for, as will be hereinafter more fully described.

Referring to the accompanying drawings,

which are made a part hereof, and on which similar letters of reference indicate similar parts, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a bridge embodying my said invention; Fig. 2, an under side view, looking upwardly from the dotted line 2 2; Fig. 3, a transverse vertical sectional view,on an enlarged scale,looking to the left from the dotted line 3 8, showing the substructure in front elevation; and Fig. 4, a de tail sectional view as seen from the dotted line In said drawings, the portions marked A represent the girders of the bridge; B, the sills of the substructure; G0, the posts of the sub structure; D, cross-beams connecting the several posts; E, braces extending from the posts O to the girders, and F planking to support the earth in position.

The girders A are preferably built up of metal plates and angle-irons, as is common in such places; but of course maybe of any other suitable construction preferred. Their ends rest on the tops of the posts 0, as shown, and are secured thereto by angle-irons and bolts, or in any suitable manner. The roadway is completed by the use of floor-beams A, joists Serial No. 168,456. (No model.)

or stringers A and planking A suitable for the purpose, the floor-beams being stayed by brace-rods a" in the usual and well known manner.

The sills B are preferably timbers; but of course may be of iron or stone, if desired. They are embedded in the earth directly under the points where the ends of the bridge will come, preferably below low-water mark;

The posts 0 are preferably heavy wroughtiron posts of sufficient size to support the superstructure steadily. They are securely fastened to the sills at their lower ends, generally by means of angle-irons, and have the ends of the girders secured to their tops, as before described. They are preferably in the form of I-beams, and the braces E are secured thereto by means of rivets or bolts passing through their flanges and similar flanges formed on the braces, as shown. lar to theposts 0, except that they are'the thickness of the cross-beam D shorter. They are also secured to the sills B in a similar manner, and at their upper ends are firmly secured to the cross-beams D.

The cross-beams D are of suitable 'size and strength to afford a rigid lateral support or stay to the posts 0, which theytie together by being firmly secured to the tops thereof at their ends, as shown, and a similar stay for the posts 0, which are secured thereto as above stated, in addition to supporting the ends of the floor-timbers, as before described.

The braces E are preferably built up from metal plates and angle-irons similarly to the girders. They are secured to the girders A. by rivets or bolts 6, and to the main posts 0 by rivets or bolts 6, as shown and before described. Instead of the plain form of brace shown,it may be made in the form of a low arch, as will be readily understood. Said brace or arch is so arranged as to bring the thrust thereof directly opposite the pressure of the earth from the outside, and the posts are thereby held rigidly in position, being thus firmly supported from each side.

' The walls F are preferably of plank; but may be of metal plates, if desired. The lower edges rest upon the sills B, behind the foot of the posts, and are built up to the top of said posts, closing the open spaces between them, thus preventing any of the earth fill from passing througlnand bringing the entire pressure thereof directly against the rear side ct said pests, thereby counteracting the thrust of the braces or arches against the trout side at the posts.

The enti re bridge,when conu'tleted, is practically in one piece, the several parts being so cured firmly together, and a rigid and solid structure is thus produced, the several parts of which each operate to brace and support the others,and add strength and solidity t hereto. This construction permits asolid earth roadway to be built directly to the bridge, avoiding the necessit ol' a wooden approach.

Having thus fully described my said inrention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, ist 1. The combination, in a bridge, of the girders A. posts C, braces Ear-ranged between said posts and girders, and the wall F, arranged behind said posts, against which the earth fill bears, snbstant'iallyas set tnrth.

2. The combination of the sills B, the posts C and C, mounted on said sills, the cross-beam 1'), secured to the tops ot' said posts,the girders A, supported on said posts, the braces 1), running between said post's C and said girders,and the wall F, behind said posts, substantially as set t'orth.

3. Thecombinationol'thegirdersol'abridgc, posts supporting said girders, braces or arches running from said posts to said girders and secured to each, a wall behind said girders,and av fill between said wall and the bank oi the streannwhich bears against said wall, whereby the thrust of the brace or arch against the op positc side of said posts counteracted and a solid structure produced, substantially as set forth.

In witness whcreol' I have hereunto set my hand and seal, at Indianapolis, Indiana, this tlth day ot'May, A. 1D, 1885.

SOLOMON H. GODMAX. [n

In presence ol'- 0. Bus nronn,

XV. Biunronn.

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