Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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DESCRIPTION
The present invention relates to a modular bridge for
military and civil uses, and in particular to a
temporary bridge of the type comprising a plurality of
section or modules which can be connected together
longitudinally in succession in a releasable manner.
The object of the present invention is to provide a
modular bridge whose modules can be transported easily
and can be set up extremely quickly. These and other
objects are achieved according to the present invention
by means of a modular bridge comprising a plurality of
sections or modules which can be connected together
longitudinally in succession in a releasable manner,
each section or module comprising: two deck members
articulated together about an axis which is parallel to
a longitudinal axis of the bridge in the mounted
condition thereof; two side members each of which is
articulated to a deck member on its side opposite the
articulation between the deck members; each section or
module being able to assume a folded condition for
storage or transport in which the deck members and the
side members are juxtaposed, and an unfolded condition
of use in which the deck members are coplanar with each
other and together form a portion of a road surface and
the side members extend substantially perpendicular to
that surface; and a tread support member articulated to
at least one of the side members of each section or
module and, together with the corresponding tread
support members of adjacent sections or modules, being
adapted to form the tread surface of a pedestrian
catwalk adjacent the road surface; each tread support
member being able to take up a closed position in which
it extends substantially parallel to the respective
side member to which it is connected and an unfolded
position of use in which it extends substantially
perpendicular to the side member.
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Each tread support member is conveniently articulated
to a respective collapsible parapet member.
IEach module in the assembly has a structure which can
be folded substantially like a concertina and can
quickly be set up and locked in the condition of use.
Conveniently, each module or section may be formed of
aluminium or a light alloy so as to facilitate its
transport and setting up.
Further characteristics and advantages of the bridge
according to the present invention will become apparent
from the detailed description which follows with
reference to the appended drawings, provided purely by
way of non-limiting example, in which:
Figures 1 and 2 are a side view and a plan view
respectively of a bridge made in accordance with the
pre~ent invention,
Figure 3 shows a section or module of a bridge
according to the invention in the folded condition for
storage or transport,
Figure 4 and Figure 5 show a section or module of the
bridge in two different phases of unfolding for setting
up,
Figure 6 shows a module of the bridge in the unfolded
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condition of use, and
Figure 7 is a side view of a module of a bridge in the
unfolded condition, showing means for connecting
adjacent modules.
In Figure 1, a bridge with a modular structure
conforming to the present invention is generally
indicated 1 and is formed by the connection of a
plurality of sections or modules M connected together
longitudinally in succession, in a releasable manner.
The bridge illustrated extends between two edges or
banks B of a river R.
As particularly apparent from Figure 2, in the
embodiment shown by way of example, the bridge
includes a central road surface 2 delimited laterally
by two parapets or sides 3. At the sides of the road
surface 2, the bridge also has two pedestrian catwalks
4 the railings of which are indicated 5.
The ends of the road surface 2 are equipped with
ascending and descending inclined surfaces 6.
Similarly, the ends of the pedestrian catwalks 4 are
connected to ascending and descending inclined surfaces
7 provided with railings.
The structure of an individual module or section of the
bridge according to the invention will now be described
in greater detail.
With reference to Figures 3 to 6, a module or section M
includes two deck members 10 constituted by
substantially rectangular box-type structures. These
deck members are connected together by means of hinged
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articulations 11, about an axis which corresponds
essentially to the middle of the bridge 1 in the
mounted condition. In Figure 2, this axis is indicated
X--X .
The deck members 10 of each module M can assume a
folded condition for storage or transport, shown in
Figure 3, and an unfolded condition of use, shown in
Figures 5 and 6, in which they are disposed
substantially coplanar with each other and together
constitute a portion of the road surface of the bridge.
These deck members 10 may be locked in the unfolded
position of use by means of the engagement of pins or
similar locking means in respective hinge eyelets,
indicated 12 in Figures 3 to 6. These pins and hinge
eyelets together constitute locking hinges which can be
disassembled.
Each module M or section of the bridge further includes
two side members 13 each of which i8 connected to a
deck member 10 adjacent the side of the latter opposite
the articulation 11. The side members 13 located on
the same side of adjacent modules M of the bridge are
connected together (by means known in themselves) so as
to form the sides or parapets 3 of the bridge.
The side members 13 are constituted, for example, by
reticulated structures and, as shown particularly in
Figures 3 to 6, are connected to respective deck
members 10 by permanent hinged articulations 14. The
side members can take up a collapsed condition for
storage or transport shown in Figure 3, and an erect
condition of use shown in Figure 6. In this latter
condition, the side membeis 13 extend substantially
perpendicular to the road surface formed by the deck
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members 10. In the embodiment illustrated, the side
members are providea with hinge eyelets 15 and the deck
members are similarly provided with hinge eyelets 16
which, in the erect condition of the side members, are
aligned with the hinge eyelets 15 to allow the locking
of the side members in the erect condition of use. The
secure positioning of the side members in the position
shown in Figure 6 is achieved by means of pins or
similar locking means inserted in the hinge eyelets 15
and 16.
Each section or module M further includes a pair of
tread support members 17 which, together with the
corresponding members of adjacent modules, are adapted
to form the tread surfaces for the pedestrian catwalks
4 mentioned above.
The tread support members 17 can also take up a closed
position (Figùre 3) in which they extend substantially
parallel to the associated side members 13, and an
unfolded position of use (Figure 6) in which they
extend perpendicular to the side members.
The tread support members 17 are articulated to the
respective side members 13 by hinges, indicated 18.
The members 17 are held in the unfolded position, for
example, by means of their abutment with stop surfaces
of the side members 13.
A respective parapet member 20 is articulated to the
free end of each tread support member 17 by means of a
hinge 19. These parapet members are also able to
assume a folded condition (Figure 3) in which they
extend substantially parallel to the associated tread
support members 17, and an erect position of use
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(Figure 6~ in which they are held in a vertical plane,
for example, as a result of their fixing by screws 21
(or snap pins) to the free ends of the tread members
17.
The deck members 10, side members 13, tread members 17
and parapet members 20 of each module may
conveniently be made from a light metal, such as
aluminium or light alloy.
As shown in Figure 3, in the completely folded
condition, each module has an extremely compact
configuration. This characteristic is particularly
advantageous both for storage and for transport and the
setting up of the bridge.
The modules M may be connected together longitudinally
in succession, for example, by means of interconnecting
plates provided with fixing pins, such as those
indicated 30 and 31 in Figure 7. On the other hand, as
experts in the art may appreciate, various other
solutions may be adopted for achieving the
interconnection of the various sections or modules of
the bridge.
In order to cross larger distances, the bridge
according to the invention may also be made in several
spans, with the use of piers or support towers.
The bridge also lends itself to being formed on
pontoons.
Naturally, the principle of the invention remaining the
same, the forms of embodiment and details of
construction may be varied widely with respect to those
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described and illustrated purely by way of non-limiting
example, without thereby departing from the scope of
the present invention.
