Abstract: A multiple use vehicle accessory is provided. The accessory includes a first a first member and second member that are longer in the longitudinal direction than in the lateral direction. An end support is attached to both an end of the first member and to an end of the second member. The end support extends at an angle to the longitudinal direction. A cross member extends in the lateral direction and spans the distance between opposite sides of the second member.

Abstract: A modular pedestrian bridge (10) is disclosed. In its simplest form, the bridge (10) includes: a span module (12) having a tunnel (14) sufficient to allow pedestrians to travel through the tunnel (14), the tunnel (14) being defined by a floor (16) and a top (18), defining a height (20), sides (22) defining a width (24) and upper and lower connectors (26) and (28), a tower module (30), a stair assembly (32), the tunnel (14) having sufficient dimensions to allow the tower module (30) to be telescopically fit into the tunnel (14) and the span module (12) being adapted to fit on a chassis or flat bed truck of a vehicle. The bridge (10) is configured to simplify assembly and disassembly and is adapted to fit on a chassis, flat bed truck and the like. The span module (12) is dimensioned, such that it does not have special freight requirements, possibly triggering state and federal escort laws for extra wide or long loads.

Abstract: A fascine is formed by an assembly of inflatable elongate members (10, 11). There may be some members that are tubes (11) and others that are pipes (10) with the tubes (11) being of smaller diameter than the pipes (10) and forming a trackway above the pipes (10) when the fascine is deployed. The members have inflatable chambers and an inflation system (20) for inflating the chamber. The inflation system (20) is located within the chamber.

Abstract: Mobile bridge system with at least one bridge section comprising two articulatedly interconnected parts, and a bridge laying vehicle provided with a lifting frame hydraulically pivotable from the horizontal transportation position into a vertical laying position, carrying a lowering frame guiding a laying cable and pivotably resting on the vehicle. One part of the bridge section, during the transportation thereof, rests a downwardly directed roadway surface on the lifting frame and is locked thereto, while the other part of the bridge section during the transportation thereof rests with an upwardly directed roadway surface on the first part. A lowering frame is fixed to the lifting frame so as to be displaceable beyond its free end and the other part of the bridge section is provided in the vicinity of its free end with outwardly pivotably mounted, length-adjustable trestle legs.

Abstract: A bridging unit for use in bridging apparatus for traversing a bridging zone, the bridging unit including a stowage housing which in use is disposed to one side of the zone, a spanning assembly operatively mounted to the stowage housing for movement between a stowed position and a deployed position in which it at least partially traverses the bridging zone in an elevated position, and deployment means operable to cause movement of the spanning assembly between the stowed and deployed positions.

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 and 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: An ornamental bridge kit includes a frame having a first and second side beams (10, 12) of a length that may fit within a shipping container. The frame further includes a plurality of transverse braces (16) spanning between the internal surface of the first side beam (10) and the internal surface of the second side beam (12). The frame also includes a plurality of lateral stiffeners (18) and at least one longitudinal stiffener (20) secured to the plurality of transverse braces (16). A plurality of boards or planks (52) may further be arranged transversely and extending from the first side beam (10) to the second side beam (12) and secured to the top edge of the first side beam (12).

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: A system to lay a bridge between two banks, wherein said system firstly comprises a bridge carrying vehicle constituted by a remote-controlled self-propelled platform incorporating means to deploy and retract said bridge, said platform being unmanned and armor-free, and secondly a control post comprising means to communicate with said platform.

Abstract: A collapsible bridge has two track girders constructed as truss girders with a triangular cross-section. A chord profile is provided at each triangulation point and two corners of the triangular cross-section are situated at the same level with the third corner situated above the corner. A pair of truss planes are formed from diagonal struts, a lower chord and an upper chord, with lower and upper truss nodes respectively being formed at connection points of two diagonal struts and a lower chord and an upper chord respectively. The two track girders are force-lockingly connected by transverse girders. Roadway planks are provided which are aligned in the longitudinal direction of the bridge and are force-lockingly connected with the transverse girders.

Abstract: A dismountable bridge, having two track carriers which, viewed in the longitudinal direction of the bridge, are divided into several identical modules, in which case the two track carriers are each spanned by a vault and are suspended at the latter. The vaults are divided into several modules in the longitudinal direction of the bridge and are adapted in their modular division to the modular division of the track carriers. The vaults and the track carriers are equipped at their ends with end pieces. The modules of the vaults have mutually identical constructions and the end pieces of the vaults are connected in a torque-resistant manner with the end pieces of the respective track carriers. The end pieces are constructed such that they are capable of compensating the length differences between the track carriers and the vaults in the case of different bridge lengths.

Abstract: A collapsible bridge and laying method for a collapsible bridge where bridge girders are pushed over an obstacle by way of a laying beam positioned in front of the obstacle to be bridged. Rollers and roller carriers carrying the rollers are fastened to the bridge girders, the rollers running in rails arranged on the laying beam. During the laying operation, the rollers with the pertaining roller carrier leaving the rail of the laying beam are removed from the bridge girder and are mounted again at a different point of the bridge girder which is momentarily situated in front of the entry into the rail of the laying beam. This process of using and removing the rollers from the bridge girder is repeated during laying of the bridge. The bridge girder can include a plurality of detachably connectible bridge girder sections.

Abstract: A dismountable bridge, having two track carriers which, viewed in the longitudinal direction of the bridge, are divided into several identical modules, in which case the two track carriers are each spanned by a vault and are suspended at the latter. The vaults are divided into several modules in the longitudinal direction of the bridge and are adapted in their modular division to the modular division of the track carriers. The vaults and the track carriers are equipped at their ends with end pieces. The modules of the vaults have mutually identical constructions and the end pieces of the vaults are connected in a torque-resistant manner with the end pieces of the respective track carriers. The end pieces are constructed such that they are capable of compensating the length differences between the track carriers and the vaults in the case of different bridge lengths.

Abstract: A collapsible bridge has two track girders constructed as truss girders with a triangular cross-section. A chord profile is provided at each triangulation point and two corners of the triangular cross-section are situated at the same level with the third corner situated above the corner. A pair of truss planes are formed from diagonal struts, a lower chord and an upper chord, with lower and upper truss nodes respectively being formed at connection points of two diagonal struts and a lower chord and an upper chord respectively. The two track girders are force-lockingly connected by transverse girders. Roadway planks are provided which are aligned in the longitudinal direction of the bridge and are force-lockingly connected with the transverse girders.

Abstract: A passenger bridge for facilitating passengers boarding and disembarking a ship includes a first gangway section adjustably suspended within and partly enclosed by a frame of the bridge and sets of wheels for supporting the frame body and to provide maneuverability of the bridge in all directions along the quay.

Abstract: A modular bridge apparatus includes a self-supporting truss section that can be lifted and transported as a structural unit. The modular bridge has left and right longitudinally extending trusses. Each truss section is made of an upper longitudinal chord member and a lower longitudinal chord member which are connected together at a plurality of joints with vertical and diagonally inclined web members. In the preferred embodiment, these longitudinally extending trusses occur on opposite sides of the bridge, defining the sides of the road surface and extend between supports on each end. A plurality of transverse beams extend between the left and right side trusses of the bridge at an elevation that is higher than the lower longitudinal chord members of the trusses. Some of the transverse beams extend beyond the lower longitudinal chord member, and are connected to the upper longitudinal chord members with an inclined diagonal kicker.

Abstract: A military quick launching bridge system has a bridge with two track supports and a laying mechanism, having an advancing support with two support sections A laying device cooperates with the laying mechanism and has a hydraulic device, a cable pull, and an electronic control. The track supports have parallel ramps with transverse pipes near their ends, and the support sections have transverse beams near their ends engaging the transverse pipes of the ramps. A pin wheel gear is provided on the advancing support. The support sections have running surfaces for supporting rollers of the laying device. The laying device has a transverse transporter with a telescoping pipe on gliding plates, supporting rollers for the ramps on the telescope pipe, and drivers adjacent to the supporting rollers. Expanding cylinders extend and retract the telescoping pipe and the ramps.

Abstract: A monocoque fiber reinforced plastic composite modular bridge structure and fabrication method are described in which, in a preferred embodiment, one or more bridge modules of selected length and cross-section are fabricated by applying composite fabric over a mandrel of substantially the intended shape of the module, enclosing the mandrel and composite in a vacuum bag, infusing the fabric with resin, preferably utilizing the vacuum assisted resin transfer molding process, allowing the resin and fabric to cure, and applying finishing operations to the module for installation at a bridge site.

Abstract: A load bearing support structure in the form of a traffic-bearing highway bridge including at least one modular structural section. The at least one modular structural section includes at least one beam, the beam comprising a pair of lateral flanges and a medial web between and extending below the flanges. The beam preferably has a flat floor. A load bearing deck is positioned above and supported by the flanges of the at least one beam. The beam and load bearing deck are preferably formed of a polymer matrix composite material. The beam is positioned on and supported by one of a plurality of support members. The beam has a contoured shape configured to be matably supported by a support member having a reciprocally configured contoured shaped. Alternatively, a flat or L-shape support member can be utilized. Further alternatively, the load bearing deck comprising at least one sandwich panel is suitable for applications such as barge decks, hatchcovers, and other load bearing wall applications.

Abstract: A highly stable beach access stairway is described that includes steps constructed of first and second parallel stringers with a plurality of treads extending between the stringers; upper, intermediate and lower support posts upon which the stringers are mounted; upper, intermediate and lower cable attachment rods extending through the support posts and stringers; a plurality of sand anchors positionable at spaced distances from the top and sides of the steps, and cables that connect the anchors to the attachment rods adjacent the inner sides of the stringers. The top anchor is connected to the upper and intermediate rods, while the side anchors are attached to the inner face of the stringer on the opposite side of the steps from the anchor. A bottom anchor may also be positioned beneath the steps and attached to the intermediate and lower rods.

Abstract: A removable running board for a vehicle that includes a quick-release mechanism for disengaging the running board from the vehicle, the disengaged running board adapted to serve as a loading ramp for loading the vehicle with cargo or a vehicle bridge for emergency crossing of a hazard.

Abstract: A military quick launching bridge system has a bridge with two track supports and a laying mechanism, having an advancing support with two support sections A laying device cooperates with the laying mechanism and has a hydraulic device, a cable pull, and an electronic control. The track supports have parallel ramps with transverse pipes near their ends, and the support sections have transverse beams near their ends engaging the transverse pipes of the ramps. A pin wheel gear is provided on the advancing support. The support sections have running surfaces for supporting rollers of the laying device. The laying device has a transverse transporter with a telescoping pipe on gliding plates, supporting rollers for the ramps on the telescope pipe, and drivers adjacent to the supporting rollers. Expanding cylinders extend and retract the telescoping pipe and the ramps.

Abstract: A lightweight mobile bridge has upper belts and/or lower belts made of composite fiber materials. The belts provide for longitudinal tensile support for vertically extending side walls formed with shear ribs made of metal.

Abstract: A portable bridge footing and abutment for supporting bridge decks on soils of insufficient bearing capacity or high water tables or both. The bridge footing includes a riser having a bearing plate, a vertical restraint, and at least one leg that all rise and fall with freeze/thaw cycles or in high water conditions. Further, the riser is designed to accommodate water flow under the bridge.

Abstract: A removable multipurpose running board assembly for a motor vehicle wherein the running board is of extruded material provided with a pair of transverse sockets to receive support pins. A pair of clamps securable to the vehicle provide anchor ports to which the support pins are mounted to removably retain a running board in position when the support pins are located in the sockets.