Abstract: A transportable foldable bridge that has a folded transport state and an unfolded installation state. The bridge includes a first ramp element, a second ramp element and an intermediate element with two opposing ends. A first end of the intermediate element is connected to the first ramp element and the other end of the intermediate element is connected to the second ramp element. An articulating connection is provided between the first ramp element and the intermediate element. In the transport state, the first ramp element and the intermediate element are folded and the second ramp element constitutes an extension of the intermediate element.

Abstract: A module for making a modular ferry and/or a floating bridge including a floatation tank, where the floatation tank is made in the form of two floatation half-tanks hinged together around a hinged line between an opening position in which the two half-tanks are substantially aligned and form the floatation tank, and a closing position in which a half-tank is folded back upon the other half-tank such as a lid thus forming a container box able to enclose all or part of the elements for making the ferry or floating bridge

Abstract: A device for a floating bridge 15 which is fastened at two anchorage points on the shore (18) is described and it is characterized in that it comprises at least one passage float (1) which is inserted as a part of a bridge construction for the passage of ships, and it forms a passage channel (200) for ships and also forms a foundation for a carriageway (111) which stretches across the passage channel. The floating bridge (15) is fastened ashore and to each side of the passage float (1) with the help of structure boxes (10, 10?).

Abstract: An amphibious vehicle includes caissons, floats, and ramps stored on top of one another on a self-propelled rolling base, when the vehicle is in a folded configuration for driving over firm ground. The elements can be deployed transversely with respect to a longitudinal axis of the rolling base when the vehicle, alone or with another vehicle of the same design, forms a pontoon or a ferry to breach a water-filled opening. The vehicle includes a deployment device to deploy the elements on one side before beginning to deploy the elements on the other side of the rolling base. The elements are deployed in at least three different configurations. The elements on each side, include respectively, from the inside outwards, in the deployed configuration, a caisson, a float, and a ramp which are hinged together in a Z-configuration.

Abstract: A suspended load-bearing structure that is formed by pneumatic structural load-bearing elements comprising an elongate hollow body, compression bars, and traction elements. The hollow body is impinged upon by gases that are lighter than air. In a first embodiment, an individual suspended structural load-bearing element is used as a ridge beam of a large tent hall whose interior has no pillars. The roof is formed by a waterproof cover, the sides of which are stretched on pillars. The cover and the structural load-bearing element are anchored to the ground by means of anchoring ropes.

Abstract: A gangway apparatus (10) for transfer between vessels or between a vessel (38) and a fixed structure such as an offshore construction or a quay is disclosed. The gangway apparatus (10) includes a gangway component (16) which is preferably buoyant and may be inflatable. The gangway component (16) is mounted on a skate or bogie and traverses a fixedly mounted runway (14). The runway (14) may be inclined. Control means are provided for controlling the motion of the gangway component on the runway. These may include biasing means such as a counterweight. The apparatus is preferably mounted in a shipping container such as a 40? ISO container.

Abstract: A system for transporting a span on a road vehicle capable of being transformed into an amphibious vehicle, enabling crossing of a dry or water-filled gap by any road vehicle. The vehicle for transporting the span is amphibious to allow any vehicle to cross a gap filled with water by transferring and transporting the vehicle on the span supported on the amphibious vehicle operating as a floating ferry. The invention is particularly applicable in the field of civil or military engineering.

Abstract: An inflatable tube (10) in a fascine is provided with a cover (11) of a braided material to provide significant strength. An outer cover (12) of KEVLAR™ may also be provided. The braided cover (11) and the inflatable tube (10) are held at the ends of the tube by a clamping mechanism (17, 18, 19) and a cylinder (40) of inflation gas is supported within the tube (10), when the tube (10) is inflated.

Abstract: A method for forming a flotation bridge is provided. The method including: forming at least one expandable member used in constructing the flotation bridge, the forming including: expanding a covering to define a cavity; and expanding foam in the cavity in an expansion direction to expand the covering into a predetermined shape.

Abstract: An amphibious vehicle which has elements, such as caissons, floats, and ramps, arranged on a self-propelled rolling base, oriented essentially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the rolling base, when the vehicle is in a folded configuration for movement on land, and which are deployed to form a track or bridge portion oriented transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the rolling base, when the vehicle, alone or with another vehicle of the same design, is used to form a floating bridge or ferry. The vehicle has a deployment device for deploying elements by pivoting of four groups of the elements around four vertical shafts spaced from one another, according to at least three different configurations, each group of elements including at least one caisson.

Abstract: A mobile compression and tension bridge and shelter structure having a plurality of individual structural elements that are parallel to each other and perpendicular to the length of the bridge or shelter. The structural elements are flexibly connected to one another on a bottom surface forming an arch caused by the shape of the elements or by placing spacers between the elements with at least one tension device attached to each structural element.

Abstract: A system for transporting a span on a road vehicle capable of being transformed into an amphibious vehicle enabling crossing of a dry or water-filled gap by any road vehicle. The vehicle for transporting the span is amphibious to allow any vehicle to cross a gap filled with water by transferring and transporting the vehicle on the span supported on the amphibious vehicle operating as a floating ferry. The invention is particularly applicable in the field of civil or military engineering.

Abstract: A rapidly constructed floating bridge for emergency deployment to minimize the time required to restore vehicular traffic where a structure crossing over a waterway has been rendered unusable or unsafe due to natural forces or acts of terrorism. The bridge is modular in nature and may be constructed from parts, including assemblies and/or subassemblies, that can be delivered to a staging area from which the bridge is assembled and deployed. The floating bridge can also be constructed as a temporary detour floating bridge at a location where a permanent structure is being repaired, removed or replaced by a new structure. The bridge is also a low cost option for a new location where a useful life of 25 to 30 years is required. The bridge may be continuous without a span that opens or may include one or more spans that pivot to open and provide a navigation channel, and/or the bridge may include an elevated span at a shore side to provide a navigation channel below the elevated span.

Abstract: A bridge for long, deep water crossings is supported between spans by narrow, transverse, semi-submersible pontoons. The pontoons are oriented to present minimal cross section to tidal currents under the bridge. The pontoons are pivotally attached to the bridge allowing them to be turned a few degrees right or left as tidal currents change. During fabrication, a module of bridge deck/roadway can be assembled for transport upon each pontoon deck. After remote fabrication two or more complete bridge modules can be linked pontoon-to-pontoon into a seaworthy vessel that can be towed to the erection site. At site the roadway modules are rotated transverse to the pontoon, elevated to final position and joined to other modules, completing the bridge.

Abstract: The structural or bridge element is constructed from a sheath (1) made of textile fabric, preferably of low extensibility, which is covered in an airtight manner with a flexible plastic. Secured longitudinally within the sheath 1 are a plurality of textile webs of low extensibility in an assembly of mutually parallel planes. The thread profile of first layers 4 of the fabric of the webs 3 is turned through approximately 45° in relation to the longitudinal axis of the bridge element. Second layers 5, each arranged within the same web 3 as the first layer 4, have a thread profile which is selected to be parallel and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bridge element. Bars 6 are arranged on the outside of the sheath 1, respectively in each plane of the webs 3, and are secured within shackles on the sheath 1. The sheath 1 is supplied with compressed air within the range of a few 100 mB.

Abstract: An automatic level-control floating apparatus supports a pontoon bridge, a floating floor or another superstructure floating on the sea, where the height of tide or the sea level varies. It is difficult to maintain the level of such a superstructure, which the floating apparatus can keep at a constant level without using motive power. The floating apparatus includes a supporting tank 3, which rests on the water bottom. The top of the supporting tank 3 is open to the atmosphere. A piston body 1 can reciprocate vertically in the supporting tank 3. The apparatus also includes floating tanks 2, which are integral with and positioned outside the piston body 1. The tops of the floating tanks 2 are open to the atmosphere. The floating tanks 2 are floating on the water. A floating body 4 can move vertically in each floating tank 2 and supports the superstructure.

Abstract: An amphibian bridge-forming and ferrying vehicle has a self-propelled main floating body having a main deck and two foldable lateral floating bodies having a lateral deck, respectively. Two foldable, hydraulically liftable and lowerable folding ramps with a ramp base and a ramp tip are provided. The folding ramps are connected to the lateral floating bodies. The ramp tips rest against the topside of the ramp bases, respectively, when the folding ramps are in a folded position. The main deck, the lateral decks, and the folding ramps together form a continuous roadway.

Abstract: A fully floating gangway comprises a movable frame sandwiched movably in an operating plane between lower and upper parallel bearing surfaces which are supported from and positioned below a first platform. A gangway extends from the frame's front end for extending to another platform such as an aircraft doorway so that the gangway can be aligned therewith by manipulating the frame in the operating plane. Preferably the frame and bearing surfaces are supported in a mobile structures such as passenger ramp. The gangway is preferably pivoted from the frame for adapting to differential elevations. The pivoting gangway can be counterbalanced for ease of manipulation. A braking system is provided to lock gangway against movement once positioned.

Abstract: A floating modular bridge has a plurality of modules of two types. Most modules are flexible fabric envelopes having a parallelogram profile that attains shape and strength when filled on site with a rigid foam that is injected into the envelope. The other module is a keystone that has a trapazoidal profile. These modules are strung together by cables to make a lightweight bridge.

Abstract: A ramp unit for pontoon structures has two inner float bodies, each having an upper deck and a lower deck, and connecting hinges pivotally connecting the two inner float bodies to one another. Two outer float bodies each having an upper deck and a lower deck are connected respectively by double-jointed hinges to the two inner float bodies at a side of the two inner float bodies opposite the connecting hinges. A folding and unfolding mechanism folds the two inner and the two outer float bodies into a folded W-shape for transport and unfolds the W-shape into a stretched operating position in which the upper decks of the two inner and the two outer float bodies form a planar driving deck. Portions of each one of the lower decks of the two inner and the two outer float bodies are planar in a longitudinal direction of each of the two inner and the outer float bodies over the entire length thereof.

Abstract: A floating bridge includes at least two pontoons adjoining one another in a longitudinal direction of the bridge. Each pontoon includes two outside floats and at least two inside floats hinged together in a transverse direction of the bridge. Each float includes an upper roadway section and at least the inside floats each include a bottom plate having an integrated tension chord. Connecting elements connecting the inside floats of the two adjoining pontoons. The connecting elements are arranged in a region of the tension chords integrated into the bottom plates of the inside floats and respectively connect the tension chords of the two adjoining inside floats. Each connecting element comprises a bolt coupling including a horizontally arranged bolt.