Bridge module

Details Bridge module Bridge module

1994-10-12

1996-03-05

Britts, Ramon S.

Bridges

Transportable

Floating

14 27, 14 771, 14 25, F01D 1514

Patent

active

054956315

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to modules for constructing modular bridges which are designed to be used in both a dry span role and as floating bridges.
2. Discussion of Prior Art
Where there is a requirement to transport a bridge to a particular location and construct it in a short time such as in military operations or in response to a civil disaster modular bridges comprising interconnectable modules are often used. In order to increase the versatility of such bridges they are sometimes designed to be used either in a dry span role or alternatively as floating bridges. Such a design has the added advantage that the bridge can also be used as a ferry. An example of such a bridge is referred to at page 110 of Jane's Military Vehicles and Logistics 1991. As the bridge must have sufficient flexural rigidity when used in the dry span role there is a certain amount of structural redundancy when the bridge is used as a floating bridge or ferry as the natural buoyancy of the bridge supports the majority of the weight of the bridge and any payload borne by the bridge. The consequence of this redundancy is that the weight of the bridge is unnecessarily high when the bridge is afloat and the load that the bridge can support; when afloat is accordingly reduced.


SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is to provide a module for a modular bridge which can be used to build a bridge for use in the dry span role or alternatively as a floating bridge and which does not suffer from the disadvantage described above.
Thus according to the invention there is provided a bridge module comprising a buoyant structure with at least one end having module interconnection means for connecting the module end to end to an adjacent module so as to form a bridge comprising a plurality of said modules the module further comprising at least; one link member with link connection means and link securing means the or each link member being releasably securable to the buoyant structure by the link securing means and being longitudinally connectable to a link member of an adjacent module via the link connection means to support tensile forces experienced by a bridge comprising a plurality of said modules.
A bridge can be constructed from bridge modules made according to the invention which can have a high load carrying capacity in the dry span role and yet not suffer from having unnecessary weight caused by redundant strength when used as a floating bridge due to the fact that the link members can be removed in such circumstances.
In order to maximise the load carrying capacity of a bridge module including a link member having a particular stiffness the or each link member is preferably connectable to the module adjacent a lower surface of the module so as to increase the second moment of area of the cross section of the module.
In order to reduce the tendency of a bridge module to twist when loaded eccentrically a link member is preferably provided on each side of the module.
So as to facilitate assembly of a plurality of modules into a bridge structure interconnection of two modules preferably aligns the link connection means of the link members of the interconnected modules.
In order that a single design of link may be used throughout a bridge structure preferably each link has differing first and second ends constituting the link connection means the first end of a link being complimentarily connectable to the second end of a similar link.
In order to facilitate construction of a bridge for use in the dry span role the link connection means is preferably configured so that connection may be effected by horizontal insertion of a single pin from a side of the module.
In order to facilitate removal of the or each link member from the module the securing means for releasably securing the or each link member to the buoyant structure preferably comprises a pinned connection.
In order to safely secure each link member to the buoyant body in a manner which is not likely to inte

REFERENCES:
patent: 3411167 (1968-11-01), Sedlacek
patent: 3499179 (1970-03-01), Weld
patent: 3504389 (1970-04-01), Longbottom
patent: 4355431 (1982-10-01), Diefendahl et al.
patent: 4520523 (1985-06-01), Fitzgerald-Smith et al.
patent: 4825492 (1989-05-01), Zehavi et al.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Bridge module does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Bridge module, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Bridge module will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1405216