BRIDGE ELEMENT WITH DOME DEVICE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a bridge element of a relocatable bridge according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Deployable bridges, sometimes also called pontoon bridges, are used primarily in military operations as temporary bridges to cross rivers or ditches in the field. These bridges typically consist of several interconnectable bridge sections, which are lined up and connected at the deployment site.

[0003] To ensure reliable cohesion of the bridge elements, coupling devices are often used. Typically, each bridge element has at least one coupling device, and a reliable connection between the bridge elements can be achieved by connecting the coupling devices of two bridge elements.

[0004] The bridge elements typically have two bottom chords designed as extruded profiles and a top chord that supports the roadway. The coupling devices are usually integrated in the area of ​​the bottom chord, allowing the bottom chords of two bridge elements to be connected. Two connected bridge elements then form a track girder.

[0005] In the past, to connect the coupling device to the bottom chord of the bridge element, bottom chord coupling attachments were welded to the bottom chord, and the coupling device could then be attached to these attachments. However, due to the extruded profile of the bottom chord, it was not possible to simply weld the coupling attachments to the bottom chord, as the weld would not have the required strength. Therefore, it was necessary to first modify the bottom chord and create recesses so that the coupling attachments could essentially be inserted into it, thus significantly lengthening the weld.While the welded-in lower chord coupling connections allow for a reliable connection of the coupling device to the lower chord, the additional processing of the lower chord is very labor-intensive, as the necessary welding work can only be carried out by highly qualified welders. Furthermore, the welds are subjected to high stresses, resulting in significant testing requirements, for example, through penetrant testing or X-ray inspection.

[0006] US Patent 5,784,738 A discloses a hinge which connects the web plate of a first bridge span to the web plate of a second bridge span.

[0007] DE 197 28 416 C1 relates to a modular bridge section for a floating bridge, consisting of one or more box girders, wherein at least one box girder is equipped with at least one bottom chord structure in the area of ​​the box girder bottom, designed to absorb the tensile forces occurring, which is constructed from a fork- and eye-shaped coupling element with a tension band in between, wherein this bottom chord structure is connected to the box girder near the coupling elements by means of a horizontal bolt above the plane of the coupling bores.

[0008] US 2010 / 0192313 A1 concerns a modular steel bridge configured by combining at least two steel girder segments.

[0009] DE 10 2010 038 127 B4 finally discloses a relocatable bridge with two bridge elements that can be joined together and which, in the joined position, can be locked together by means of locking elements arranged on the bridge elements.

[0010] The invention presents itself as Task , to specify a bridge element which allows for a simpler connection of the dome device to the bottom chord.

[0011] This task is accomplished in the case of a bridge element of the type mentioned above by solved that the coupling device is detachably attached to the lower chord via a bolt fastening.

[0012] The bolted connection allows the coupling device to be connected to the lower chord without the need for additional welding of a lower chord coupling attachment. Therefore, it is no longer necessary to provide an additional lower chord coupling attachment; instead, the coupling device can be attached directly to the continuous lower chord. This weld-free connection significantly reduces the inspection effort that is unavoidable with a welded connection.

[0013] Furthermore, the detachable bolt connection allows the coupling device to be easily attached to the bottom chord and just as easily detached. When the bridge element is being transported, for example on a bridge-laying vehicle, the coupling device can be detached from the bottom chord, which has a positive effect on loading dimensions. At the installation site, the coupling device can then be attached to the bottom chord to connect two bridge elements. However, if the mounted coupling devices are not obstructive, they can also remain attached to the respective bottom chords for the sake of simplicity.

[0014] The bottom chord can extend in a laying direction that essentially corresponds to the direction of travel over the bridge or bridge elements.

[0015] With regard to the coupling device, it has proven advantageous for it to have a coupling section for connecting to another coupling device. Furthermore, the coupling device is provided with a mounting section for attachment to the bottom chord. This design allows the coupling device to be attached directly to the continuous bottom chord on one side and coupled to a coupling device of another bridge element on the other. Thus, coupling devices can be attached to the bottom chords of two bridge elements, and the two coupling devices can be coupled to each other. The coupling device, or the coupling section, can therefore represent an interface for connecting the bridge element, or the bottom chord of the bridge element, to another coupling device, or a coupling section of another coupling device.

[0016] According to the invention, the fastening section is guided within the bottom flange. This guidance within the bottom flange ensures a defined positioning of the coupling device or fastening section, thus simplifying assembly. The guide can extend in the laying direction, allowing the coupling device or fastening section to be inserted into the guide, particularly by plugging it in. The guide can be formed by the extruded profile itself, eliminating the need for a separate connection to the bottom flange.

[0017] From a design perspective, it has proven advantageous for the bottom chord to have a web and two flanges connected to the web. The web and the flanges can be integrally joined, forming the extruded profile of the bottom chord. The upper and lower flanges can be spaced apart and extend parallel to each other in the transverse direction. This transverse direction can be perpendicular to the laying direction and, in particular, horizontal. The web can be positioned between the two flanges and extend vertically. Both the two flanges and the web can be essentially plate-shaped. Overall, the bottom chord can be designed as an extruded C-profile, an I-profile, a single-cell or multi-cell box section, or even a double-T profile. All these profiles allow for the guidance of the coupling device or...The fastening section is located between the two flanges and on one side of the web. Furthermore, a suitable profile allows a trolley of a bridge laying device to engage the bottom flange and thus position the corresponding bridge element.

[0018] Furthermore, it has proven advantageous if the web and the two flanges have a receiving space for the fastening section. For mounting the coupling device, this section, or rather the fastening section, can be inserted into the receiving space of the bottom chord, and in a subsequent step, the coupling device can then be attached to the bottom chord. The receiving space can be bounded above and below by the two flanges and on one side by the web. The receiving space can be open on the side opposite the web.

[0019] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is proposed that the fastening section and the two flanges are aligned with each other. When the fastening section is located in the receiving space, it cannot protrude from the contour of the bottom flange or the extruded profile; rather, the fastening section and the two flanges can be aligned in a vertical plane. This alignment prevents the fastening section from moving back and forth perpendicular to the web within the receiving space when the receiving space is closed on the side opposite the web, as will be explained in more detail below.

[0020] It has also proven advantageous for the fastening section to rest against the web and, in particular, against both flanges. The web and the two flanges can be arranged such that the fastening section rests against the bottom flange on three sides within the receiving space of the bottom flange. The fastening section can be fixed against rotation within the bottom flange or within the extruded profile of the bottom flange. However, the fastening section does not necessarily have to rest against both flanges, as it is fixed vertically by the retaining bolts.

[0021] With regard to the fastening section, it has proven advantageous for it to have two parallel fastening tabs. This tab-shaped design reduces the weight of the coupling device compared to a fastening section made of solid material. The inner fastening tab can rest against the web of the bottom chord, and the outer fastening tab can be aligned with the two flanges. Both tabs can have a free end and be connected to the coupling section at the opposite end. The two tabs can be essentially plate-shaped, which has proven advantageous for incorporating the recesses described in more detail below. The two tabs can extend in the installation direction.

[0022] With regard to the dome section, a claw-like design has proven advantageous. The claw-shaped design of the dome section allows for a positive-locking connection with the dome section of another bridge element. The claw-shaped dome section can positively engage a counterpart, such as a mushroom-shaped dome section, from another dome assembly, ensuring a reliable coupling between the two dome sections and thus also connecting the two bottom chords of the bridge elements being joined. The claw can be designed, for example, with a substantially C-shaped profile, enabling the transmission of tensile forces, particularly those acting in the bottom chords.

[0023] Regarding the material of the coupling device, a steel alloy has proven advantageous. Due to the sometimes considerable weight of the bridge element, as well as the weight of vehicles crossing the bridge, the coupling device is subjected to high forces, particularly tensile forces, necessitating its robustness. A steel alloy provides sufficient strength for the coupling device and ensures reliable coupling of the two bridge elements. Practical experience has shown that aluminum does not offer sufficient strength for the coupling device itself.

[0024] Furthermore, it has proven advantageous if the mounting section and the dome section are integrally joined. This design ensures reliable force transmission between the mounting section and the dome section, and thus also from the dome section to the bridge element. The dome assembly can be a cast, milled, or forged part.

[0025] Regarding the design of the bottom chord, it has proven advantageous for it to be made of an aluminum alloy. Aluminum is characterized by its low weight, so the bottom chord, and therefore the bridge element as a whole, is lighter compared to, for example, a bridge element with a steel bottom chord. Since the forces acting on the bottom chord are lower or distributed over a larger area, it is not absolutely necessary to manufacture the bottom chord from a significantly heavier steel alloy.

[0026] The design of the coupling device, made of a steel alloy, and the bottom chord, made of an aluminum alloy, means that the coupling device cannot be readily welded to the bottom chord. Therefore, bolting the coupling device to the bottom chord of the bridge element is advantageous, as it avoids the problems associated with a welded connection.

[0027] According to the invention, the bolt fastening comprises at least one, and in particular three, dowel pins. The dowel pins allow the fastening section of the coupling device to be positively connected to the continuous lower chord of the bridge element. This will be explained in more detail below. Advantageously, the dowel pin is made of steel, as it can withstand comparatively high forces and, in particular, exhibits high resistance to shearing. Furthermore, more than three dowel pins can also be used.

[0028] According to the invention, the fastening section further provides that the mounting section has at least one recess through which the dowel pin extends. The dowel pin can thus pass through the fastening section and protrude axially on both sides relative to the fastening section. The recess can extend transversely. The recess can extend through both mounting tabs, so that the pin can also be inserted transversely through both mounting tabs. The number of dowel pins can correspond to the number of recesses or the number of recesses per mounting tab, so that in the assembled state a dowel pin is arranged in all recesses. In an alternative embodiment, the dowel pin(s) can also be integrally connected to the fastening section of the coupling device.

[0029] With regard to the dowel pin, it has proven advantageous for it to extend into the bottom flange, so that the coupling device is not movable relative to the bottom flange in the laying direction. The dowel pin can thus create a positive-locking connection between the coupling device and the bottom flange of the bridge element in the laying direction. When a force acting on the coupling device in the laying direction is applied, the dowel pin is subjected to shear stress, but this prevents movement of the coupling device relative to the bottom flange in the laying direction.

[0030] With regard to the design of the dowel pin, it has proven advantageous for it to have a bolt section and an insertion section, the diameter of which is smaller than the diameter of the bolt section. Both the bolt section and the insertion section can be cylindrical. A diameter change can be provided between the bolt section and the insertion section, creating a shoulder between them. The diameter of the bolt section can correspond to the diameter of the recess in the mounting section, ensuring that the dowel pin is guided within the recess and cannot tilt relative to it. When the dowel pin is positioned in the recess, the insertion sections can protrude to the left and right relative to the mounting section of the coupling device.

[0031] Furthermore, with regard to the dowel pin, it has proven advantageous if it has an insertion section at each end and the pin section is arranged between the two insertion sections. The dowel pin can have a diameter change or a shoulder on each side.

[0032] With regard to the bottom flange, it has proven advantageous for it to have at least one, and in particular three, insertion openings for the dowel pin. The insertion opening can extend perpendicular to the laying direction and be located in the area of ​​the web, particularly at mid-height. The insertion opening can extend through the entire web or be designed as a blind hole and have a substantially round cross-section. Depending on the number of dowel pins used, several insertion openings can also be provided.

[0033] Furthermore, with regard to the insertion opening, it has proven advantageous to arrange several insertion openings one after the other in the laying direction. The number of insertion openings can correspond to the number of dowel pins or the number of recesses per fastening tab, so that each dowel pin can be inserted into an insertion opening of the bottom chord. Multiple recesses or multiple dowel pins allow for the transmission of higher forces, which increases the overall strength of the connection between the coupling device and the bottom chord. In practice, the use of three dowel pins has proven reliable.

[0034] Regarding the connection of the dowel pin to the lower belt, it has proven advantageous if the dowel pin can be inserted into the insertion opening in a way that prevents it from being lost. Due to this design, the dowel pin cannot be moved axially or transversely through the insertion opening; rather, from a certain point onward, further axial movement of the dowel pin relative to the lower belt is prevented.

[0035] In this context, it has proven advantageous for the insertion opening to be smaller than the bolt section. This design ensures that the dowel pin cannot be inserted completely through the insertion opening; rather, only the insertion section of the dowel pin can be inserted, as the bolt section is too large for the opening. Once the dowel pin is inserted into the opening, the shoulder located between the bolt section and the insertion section can rest against the top of the web. The shoulder can thus act as an insertion stop. The insertion section and the insertion opening can have approximately the same diameter, preventing the dowel pin from tilting within the opening.

[0036] Furthermore, it has proven advantageous if the dowel pin is secured by a retaining element. The retaining element prevents a dowel pin inserted into the lower chord from moving axially. In this respect, the retaining element can also secure the coupling device in the lower chord.

[0037] According to the invention, the dowel pin is secured axially between the lower chord and the retaining element. The dowel pin is therefore not movable in the transverse direction, but is clamped between the lower chord, in particular the web, and the retaining element.

[0038] According to the invention, the retaining element is designed as a retaining plate. Due to this design, the space required for the retaining element is kept within manageable limits.

[0039] Furthermore, it has proven advantageous for the retaining element to have at least one, and preferably three, fixing openings in which the insertion section of a dowel pin can be received. The fixing opening can be designed as a through hole or, alternatively, as a blind hole. The dowel pin can thus be secured at both ends: on one side in the insertion opening of the lower chord and on the other side in the fixing opening of the retaining element. Depending on the number of dowel pins used, several fixing openings can also be provided.

[0040] Furthermore, it has proven advantageous if the fixing opening and the insertion opening are positioned opposite each other in pairs with respect to the fastening section. The dowel pin can thus extend from the fixing opening through the recess of the fastening section to the insertion opening of the lower belt. The number of fixing openings can therefore correspond to the number of insertion openings.

[0041] With regard to the fixing opening, it has proven advantageous for it to be smaller than the bolt section. Analogous to the captive arrangement of the dowel pin in the lower chord, this ensures that the dowel pin cannot be inserted through the fixing opening, but rather that only the insertion section of the dowel pin can be moved into the fixing opening. After assembly, the shoulder located between the insertion section and the bolt section can then rest against the surface of the retaining element. The thickness of the retaining element can approximately correspond to the length of the insertion section, so that it does not protrude laterally from the retaining element. In an alternative embodiment, however, it is also possible for the dowel pin(s) to be integrally connected to the retaining element.

[0042] With regard to the retaining element, it has proven advantageous for it to close off the receiving space on one side. The retaining element can be positioned opposite the web, so that the web defines the receiving space on one side and the retaining element on the other. The retaining element can thus extend parallel to the web of the bottom chord. The retaining element therefore creates a receiving space closed on four sides, which, without the dowel pins, only allows movement of the coupling device in the laying direction, but reliably prevents both lateral movement and rotation of the coupling device.

[0043] To ensure sufficient stability, it has proven advantageous for the retaining element to be detachably connected to the lower chord, particularly via a screw connection, and especially via a screw connection to each of the two flanges. When the retaining element is connected to the lower chord in this way, the coupling device cannot move relative to the lower chord; rather, it is reliably attached to the lower chord. To detach the coupling device from the lower chord, the retaining element can first be removed from the lower chord, followed by the removal of the dowel pins, and finally the disassembly of the coupling device from the lower chord.

[0044] To ensure a reliable connection between the retaining element and the bottom chord, it has proven advantageous to connect the retaining element to the bottom chord via at least two bolted connections. This improves stability and allows the acting forces to be distributed across multiple bolted connections. The retaining element can therefore have at least two holes, and it can be connected to the bottom chord via a bolt assigned to each hole. The bolt can extend through the hole into the bottom chord and can be screwed into the bottom chord. The retaining element can thus be positively locked to the bottom chord via the bolted connection. The bolt can be designed as a fitted bolt and have a predefined shank section.

[0045] Regarding the connection of the retaining element to the bottom flange, it has proven advantageous for the retaining element to be connected to both the upper and lower flanges. Such a connection ensures sufficient stability, so that the retaining element remains reliably held to the bottom flange, or to its two flanges, even under transverse forces. This double-sided connection also ensures that no or only minimal torques act on the connections between the retaining element and the bottom flange.

[0046] Furthermore, it is advantageous if both flanges have at least one screw receptacle into which the screws can be screwed. These screw receptacles can be blind holes with threads arranged within them, so that the screws can be inserted through the bores of the retaining element and then screwed into the threads of the screw receptacles.

[0047] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the retaining element has several bores arranged in rows, with one row assigned to the upper flange and one row to the lower flange. Multiple bolted connections can thus be provided for each flange to connect the retaining element to the bottom flange. The rows can extend in the laying direction, and the fixing holes can be arranged between the two rows. The upper bolted connections can be arranged above the dowel pins, and the lower bolted connections below the dowel pins.

[0048] Furthermore, with regard to the aforementioned task, a track support for a relocatable bridge with at least two bridge elements is proposed, whereby the bridge elements can be designed as described above. The advantages already described with regard to the bridge elements result. The bridge can consist of two track supports arranged parallel to each other, which can be connected to each other via cross-connections.

[0049] The bottom chords of the two bridge elements can each have a coupling device and be connected to each other via this device. The coupling sections of the two coupling devices can be adapted to one another so that they interlock, for example, allowing forces to be transferred from one bridge element to the other. It is advantageous if the two coupling sections interlock in a form-fitting manner. Furthermore, it is advantageous if the coupling sections of the two bridge elements are designed to be complementary to each other.

[0050] Further details and advantages of the invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. These show: Fig. 1 a continuous lower chord in a perspective side view; Fig. 2 a coupling device in a perspective side view; Fig. 3 a bolt fastening in an exploded view; Fig. 4 the coupling device connected to the lower chord via dowel pins; Fig. 5 the coupling device in a position attached to the lower chord; Fig. 6 a connection of two coupling devices for connecting two bridge elements in a perspective side view; Fig. 7 a track beam with two bridge elements, each connected to each other via two coupling devices.

[0051] The presentation of Fig. 1 Figure 1 shows a bottom flange 2 of a bridge element 1 in a perspective side view. The bottom flange 2 essentially has a double-T-shaped extruded profile and extends in the laying direction V. The entire bridge element 1 is shown in the illustration of the Fig. 7to be seen. Above the lower chord 2, the bridge element 1 also has an upper chord supporting the roadway and, in one end area, an approach ramp that facilitates driving onto the bridge element 1.

[0052] To form a track beam 100, it is now necessary to connect at least two bridge elements 1 so that they then span, for example, a river or a ditch. To form a bridge that can be crossed by a vehicle, such as a military combat vehicle, two track beams 100 are then arranged side by side. To connect the two in the illustration of the Fig. 7To connect the two bridge elements 1, the bottom chords 2 of each bridge element 1 are equipped with a coupling device 10 at each end. Since each bridge element 1 has two bottom chords 2 running parallel to each other in the laying direction V, a total of four coupling devices 10 are provided for connecting the two bridge elements 1, namely one for each bottom chord 2. The opposing coupling devices 10 of the two bridge elements 1 can then be coupled together to connect the two bridge elements 1.

[0053] Especially when a track girder 100 is subjected to a high load, for example when a military vehicle weighing several tons crosses the bridge or track girder 100, high tensile forces act on the lower chords 2 of the bridge elements 1, which must be absorbed by the coupling devices. Therefore, both the connections of the coupling devices 10 to each other and the respective connection of the coupling device 10 to the lower chord 2 must exhibit very high load-bearing capacity and fatigue strength.

[0054] An embodiment of such a coupling device 10 is now shown in the illustration of the Fig. 2 The coupling device 10 essentially consists of two sections, namely a coupling section 11 and a fastening section 12, which are integrally connected. The coupling device 10 can be firmly attached to the object shown in the diagram via the fastening section 12. Fig. 1The lower chord 2 shown is connected to the dome section 11 of another bridge element 1 via the dome section 11 of the coupling device 10. First, the connection of the coupling device 10 to the lower chord 2 will be described in more detail, before the coupling of two coupling devices 10 is discussed below.

[0055] To attach the coupling device 10 to the lower chord 2, the connection shown in the illustration is made. Fig. 3 The bolt fastening 3 shown is used. The bolt fastening 3 consists of several individual parts, namely several dowel pins 4, a retaining element 5 designed as a retaining plate, and several screws 5.2.

[0056] As shown in the depiction of the Fig. 4As can be seen, the extruded profile of the lower chord 2 consists of a horizontally extending web 2.1 and two flanges 2.2, 2.3 connected to the web 2.1 at its ends, which also extend essentially horizontally. The two flanges 2.2, 2.3 and the web 2.1 form a receiving space 2.4 in the lower chord 2 in which the coupling device 10 can be received, as shown in the illustration. Fig. 4This can be seen. The coupling device 10, or rather the fastening section 12 of the coupling device 10, then contacts the web 2.1 on one side. A small gap is provided between the coupling device 10 and the two flanges 2.2, 2.3, because the coupling device 10 is fixed vertically by the dowel pins (4) described in more detail below. The two flanges 2.2, 2.3 and the web 2.1, which essentially act as a guide in the laying direction V for the coupling device 10, thus prevent it from rotating or tilting relative to the bottom chord.

[0057] The fastening section 12 essentially consists of two fastening tabs 12.1, 12.2 extending parallel to each other, which are integrally formed at one end on the dome section 11. When the dome device 10 is arranged in the receiving space 2.4 of the bottom chord 2, the inner of the two fastening tabs 12.1 lies flat against the web 2.1 and the outer fastening tab 12.2 is flush with the two flanges 2.2, 2.3, so that the fastening section 12 does not protrude in the transverse direction Q relative to the contour of the bottom chord 2 or relative to the receiving space 2.4.

[0058] In the exemplary embodiment, the bridge 2.1 has three adjacent circular insertion openings 2.5 and the fastening section 12 has three adjacent circular recesses 13, wherein the recesses 13 are aligned with the insertion openings 2.5 when the coupling device 10 is in place as shown in the illustration. Fig. 4in the extruded profile of the lower chord 2. In a next step, dowel pins 4 are inserted through the recesses 13 of the coupling device 10 into the insertion openings 2.5, so that the dowel pins 4 connect the coupling device 10 to the lower chord 2 in the laying direction V in a form-fitting manner.

[0059] The design of the dowel pins 4 is shown in the illustration of the Fig. 3These can be identified. They have a central bolt section 4.1 and at each axial end an insertion section 4.3 with a diameter reduced compared to the bolt section 4.1. Due to the different diameters, a diameter step forming a shoulder 4.2 occurs between the insertion section 4.3 and the bolt section 4.1 on both sides of the dowel pin 4. The diameter of the insertion opening 2.5 now corresponds approximately to the size of the insertion section 4.3, and the diameter of the bolt section 4.1 corresponds approximately to the diameter of the recess 13. The insertion opening 2.5 thus has a smaller diameter than the recess 13. This design ensures that when the dowel pin 4 is inserted through the recess 13 of the fastening section 12, the shoulder 4.2 rests against the outside of the web 2.1 from a certain point onward. The insertion section 4.3 then protrudes into the insertion opening 2.5.5 into, however, a further axial movement of the dowel pin 4 in the transverse direction Q is prevented due to the shoulder 4.2 or due to the larger pin section 4.1.

[0060] In the presentation of the Fig. 4 The corresponding dowel pins 4 have already been inserted into all three recesses 13, so that the insertion sections 4.3, which are not visible in the illustration, are already in the insertion openings 2.5 and further movement of the dowel pins 4 towards the lower belt 2 is not possible.

[0061] To prevent the dowel pins 4 from being pulled out of the insertion openings 2.5 or from the recess 13 in the opposite direction, or from falling out, a retaining element 5 designed as a retaining plate is provided. In addition, forces from the coupling device 10 or from the dowel pins 4 are also transmitted to the lower chord 2 via the retaining element 5. This retaining element 5 is designed as shown in the illustration. Fig. 5The retaining element 5 is arranged laterally on the lower flange 2, so that it closes the receiving space 2.4 on the side opposite the web 2.1. The insertion sections 4.3, which project in the transverse direction Q relative to the outer mounting tab 12.2 and thus also relative to the two flanges 2.2, 2.3, then protrude into the fixing openings 5.1 of the retaining element 5, which can have the same diameter as the insertion openings 2.5. The shoulder 4.2 between the bolt section 4.1 and the outer insertion section 4.3 then lies on the inside of the retaining element 5, and the dowel pin 4 is secured immovably in the transverse direction Q between the web 2.1 and the retaining element 5.

[0062] To firmly connect the retaining element 5 to the lower flange 2, the upper flange 2.2 and the lower flange 2.3 have several screw receptacles 2.6 designed as blind holes. The retaining element 5 has several adjacent bores 5.2 in its upper and lower regions, which align with the screw receptacles 2.6 when the retaining element 5 is installed as shown in the illustration. Fig. 4The retaining plate 5 is positioned. Using several screws 5.3, the retaining plate 5 can then be screwed to both the upper flange 2.2 and the lower flange 2.3. The retaining element 5 thus has a dual function. On the one hand, it closes the receiving space 2.4, thereby preventing movement of the coupling device 10 in the transverse direction Q. On the other hand, the retaining element 5 also secures the dowel pins 4, which in turn ensure that the coupling device 10 cannot move in the laying direction V. The screw connections of the retaining plate 5 and the dowel pins 4 ensure reliable force transmission between the coupling device 1 and the lower chord 2, so that even high forces can be transmitted between the lower chord 2 and the coupling device 10.Due to the constructive design of the connection, it is not necessary to weld the coupling device 10 to the lower chord 2 either directly or via intermediate elements.

[0063] To couple the coupling device 10 with another coupling device 10, the two coupling sections 11 can interlock. One possible embodiment of the coupling sections 11 of the two coupling devices 10 is shown in the illustration of the Fig. 6The coupling device 10, arranged on the lower chord 2 of the right bridge element 1, has a substantially claw-shaped coupling section 11. The other coupling device 10, however, has a coupling section 11 designed as a counterpart, which in the exemplary embodiment is designed as a kind of mushroom head that can be positively engaged in the coupling section 11 of the right coupling device 10. The design of the two coupling sections 12 allows for the reliable transmission of tensile forces in particular. Reference symbol:

[0064] 1 Bridge element 2 Bottom chord 2.1 Web 2.2 Upper flange 2.3 Lower flange 2.4 Receipt space 2.5 Insertion opening 2.6 Bolt receptacle 3 Bolt fixing 4 Dowel bolt 4.1 Bolt section 4.2 Shoulder 4.3 Insertion section 5 Retaining element 5.1 Fixing opening 5.2 Bore 5.3 Bolt 10 Coupling device 11 Coupling section 12 Fastening section 12.1 Fastening tab 12.2 Fastening tab 13 Recess 100 Track support Q transverse direction V laying direction

Claims

1. Bridge element of a movable bridge with a lower chord (2) designed as an extruded profile and with a coupling device (10) attached to the lower chord (2) for coupling the lower chord (2) to another bridge element, wherein the coupling device (10) is detachably fastened to the lower chord (2) by means of a bolt fastening (3), wherein the coupling device (10) has a fastening section (12) for fastening to the lower chord (2), characterized in that the fastening section (12) is guided in the lower chord (2), wherein the bolt fastening (3) comprises at least one fitting bolt (4), wherein the fastening section (12) comprises a recess (13) through which the fitting bolt (4) extends, wherein the fitting bolt (4) is secured in the axial direction between the lower chord (2) and a holding element (5) and wherein the holding element (5) is designed as a holding plate .

2. Bridge element according to claim 1, characterized in that the coupling device (10) has a coupling section (11) for coupling with another coupling device.

3. Bridge element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lower chord (2) has a web (2.1) and two flanges (2.2, 2.3) connected to the web (2.1).

4. Bridge element according to claim 3, characterized in that the web (2.1) and the two flanges (2.2, 2.3) form a receiving space (2.4) for receiving the fastening section (12), wherein the fastening section (12) is lying against the web (2.1) and the two flanges (2.2, 2.3).

5. Bridge element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coupling section (11) is designed as a claw.

6. Bridge element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coupling device (10) is made of a steel alloy and the lower chord (2) is made of an aluminum alloy.

7. Bridge element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bolt fastening (3) has three fitting bolts (4).

8. Bridge element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fitting bolt (4) has a bolt section (4.1) and an insertion section (4.3) at each end, wherein the bolt section (4.1) is arranged between the two insertion sections (4.3) and wherein the diameter of the insertion sections (4.3) is smaller than the diameter of the bolt section (4.1).

9. Bridge element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lower chord (2) has at least one, in particular three, insertion openings (2.5) for inserting a fitting bolt (4), wherein the insertion opening (2.5) is smaller than the bolt section (4.1).

10. Bridge element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding element (5) closes off the receiving space (2.4) on one side.

11. Bridge element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding element (5) has at least one, in particular three, fixing openings (5.1) in which an insertion section (4.3) of a fitting bolt (4) can be received, wherein the fixing opening (5.1) is smaller than the bolt section (4.1).

12. Bridge element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding element (5) is detachably connected to the two flanges (2.2, 2.3) via a screw connection in each case.

13. Bridge element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding element (5) has a plurality of holes (5.2) arranged in rows, one row being assigned to the upper flange (2.2) and one row being assigned to the lower flange (2.3).

14. Track carrier (100) of a movable bridge with at least two bridge elements (1) according to one of the preceding claims.