Collapsible lightweight bridge

Abstract

A lightweight bridge can be constructed by connecting a number of segments 1A together. Each segment has two parallel longitudinal beams 3, which can be moved between a use position in which the two longitudinal beams 3 are spaced apart and a storage position in which the two longitudinal beams 3 are against each other. The segment 1A further has a bridge deck 5 formed by a cloth that with opposite edges is attached to the two longitudinal beams 3 and which is stretched between the longitudinal beams. The longitudinal beams 3 are kept at a distance from each other by transverse elements 7 that are present between the longitudinal beams 3 and are connected to the longitudinal beams 3. These transverse elements 7 are collapsible. In the collapsed state, the cloth is folded between the two longitudinal beams 3. At the ends of the longitudinal beams 3, coupling pieces 11A and 11B are present, so that various segments 1A can be connected to each other.

Description

[0001] Collapsible lightweight bridge

[0002] DESCRIPTION:

[0003] Technical field of the invention

[0004] The invention relates to a lightweight bridge comprising at least one segment that: includes two parallel longitudinal beams, as well as a bridge deck that is attached to both longitudinal beams, and transverse elements that are present between the longitudinal beams and at the ends are connected to the longitudinal beams.

[0005] A lightweight bridge refers to a bridge that can be walked on or driven over with a light vehicle, such as a two-wheeler (e.g. bicycle, moped, motorcycle) or quad.

[0006] Background of the invention

[0007] A lightweight bridge according to the preamble of claim 1 is known from CN212452241U. This known lightweight bridge is relatively heavy and large, making it difficult to transport.

[0008] Summary of the invention

[0009] An object of the invention is to provide a lightweight bridge that is strong, collapsible and lightweight. To this end, the lightweight bridge according to the invention is characterized in that: the two longitudinal beams can be moved between a use position in which the two longitudinal beams are spaced apart from each other and a storage position in which the two longitudinal beams are against each other, the bridge deck is foldable or collapsible, the transverse elements are collapsible or retractable and are folded out or extended in the use position of the longitudinal beams, with the bridge deck extending tightly between the two longitudinal beams, and in the storage position of the longitudinal beams are folded or retracted, with the bridge deck folded between the two longitudinal beams , and the segment further comprises fixing means to fix the transverse elements in the unfolded or extended position.

[0010] The bridge deck can be designed as a flexible sheet or fabric or as a grid. The bridge deck is preferably formed by a cloth that with opposite edges is attached to the longitudinal beams.

[0011] Preferably, the transverse elements each have two parts, each of which is hingedly connected to the longitudinal beams at one end and hingedly connected to each other at the other end. Such transverse elements can be easily folded in and out and are strong in the longitudinal direction when unfolded, so that they can keep the longitudinal beams firmly spaced from each other.

[0012] To ensure that the transverse elements are easily accessible, they are preferably present at the ends of the longitudinal beams.

[0013] The fixing means are preferably configured in such a way that they can fix the two hingeably connected parts of the transverse elements relative to each other. To this end, the fixing means preferably comprise a tensioning element with which the end surfaces of the ends of the two parts of the transverse element can be pulled against each other. In this way a solid fixation of the transverse elements in the unfolded position is achieved.

[0014] An embodiment of the lightweight bridge according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises at least one further segment that is releasably coupled to the other segment, wherein the longitudinal beams of the segments are in line with each other and are connected to each other. The lightweight bridge can therefore be assembled in different lengths as desired.

[0015] Preferably, coupling pieces are present at the ends of the longitudinal beams that can be coupled to each other and with which the transverse elements can be hingedly connected. The longitudinal beams can therefore be designed as (extrusion) profiles and do not need to undergo further processing. The cross elements can easily be mounted on the coupling pieces and the coupling pieces can then easily be fitted into the open ends of the profiles and fixed in the profiles. The coupling pieces are preferably provided with a hole through which a hinge pin can be inserted so that the transverse elements can easily be connected to the coupling pieces. In order to obtain a reliable coupling between the segments, at one end of the longitudinal beams the coupling pieces are provided with a protrusion and at the other end of the longitudinal beams the coupling pieces are provided with a recess, whereby the coupling piece provided with the protrusion can slid, in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal beams and towards the outside of the lightweight bridge, into the coupling piece provided with the recess, so that the coupling pieces are connected to each other in a form-fitting manner in the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal beams. This construction of the coupling pieces and the transverse elements makes it possible to connect two segments and tension the fabric in one operation.

[0016] Brief description of the drawings

[0017] The invention will be explained in more detail below on the basis of exemplary embodiments of the lightweight bridge according to the invention shown in the drawings. Hereby shows:

[0018] Figure 1 a segment of a first embodiment of the lightweight bridge according to the invention seen from above;

[0019] Figure 2 the segment shown in figure 1, seen from the bottom;

[0020] Figure 3 a part of the segment shown in Figure 2 with one of the transverse elements in a scissored position;

[0021] Figure 4 a segment of a second embodiment of the lightweight bridge according to the invention, seen from above;

[0022] Figure 5 the coupling piece provided with a protrusion at one end of a longitudinal beam in perspective;

[0023] Figure 6 the detail shown in figure 5 in side view;

[0024] Figure 7 the detail shown in figure 5 in longitudinal section;

[0025] Figure 8 the coupling piece provided with a recess at one end of a longitudinal beam in perspective;

[0026] Figure 9 the detail shown in figure 8 in side view;

[0027] Figure 10 the detail shown in Figure 8 in longitudinal section;

[0028] Figure 11 the segment shown in Figure 4 in the collapsed state;

[0029] Figure 12 a cross-section of the situation shown in Figure 11;

[0030] Figure 13 the segment shown in Figure 4 in a partially unfolded position; Figure 14 shows a cross-section of the situation shown in Figure 13;

[0031] Figure 15 the segment shown in Figure 4 in a fully unfolded condition;

[0032] Figure 16 a cross-section of the condition shown in Figure 15;

[0033] Figure 17 two of the segments shown in Figure 4 shortly before they are coupled together;

[0034] Figure 18 the situation shown in Figure 17, seen from below at the location of the coupling to be established;

[0035] Figure 19 the segments shown in Figure 17 during coupling;

[0036] Figure 20 the situation shown in Figure 19, seen from below at the location of the coupling to be established;

[0037] Figure 21 the segments shown in figure 17 in a coupled condition;

[0038] Figure 22 the situation shown in Figure 21, seen from below at the location of the connection that has been established;

[0039] Figure 23 the parts of the transverse elements held in a fixed condition by the tensioning means in perspective;

[0040] Figure 24 the detail shown in figure 23 in top view; and

[0041] Figure 25 the detail shown in figure 23 in side view.

[0042] Detailed description of the drawings

[0043] Figures 1 and 2 show a segment 1 of a first embodiment of the lightweight bridge according to the invention, seen from above and below respectively. The lightweight bridge can be assembled by connecting a number of segments 1 together. Each segment has two parallel longitudinal beams 3, which can be moved between a use position in which the two longitudinal beams 3 are spaced apart and a storage position in which the two longitudinal beams 3 are against each other. The segment 1A further has a bridge deck 5 formed by a cloth that with opposite edges is attached to the two longitudinal beams 3 and which is stretched between the longitudinal beams.

[0044] The longitudinal beams 3 are kept at a distance from each other by transverse elements 7 that are present between the longitudinal beams 3 and are connected to the longitudinal beams 3. These transverse elements 7 are collapsible. In the collapsed state, the cloth is folded between the two longitudinal beams 3. The longitudinal beams 3 are further connected to each other by a number of cords 4 for the purpose of stability.

[0045] Figure 3 shows a part of segment 1 with one of the transverse elements 7 in a partially collapsed position. The transverse elements 7 each have two parts 7D and 7E, each of which is hingedly connected 7a to the longitudinal beams 3 at one end. These parts 7D and 7E are hingedly connected to each other at the other end 7b. In the unfolded position, the end surfaces 7c of the ends 7b are against each other.

[0046] Figure 4 shows a segment 1A of a second embodiment of the lightweight bridge according to the invention. All parts that are identical to or have the same function as those in the first embodiment are indicated with the same reference numbers. This segment 1A also has two longitudinal beams 3 and a bridge deck 5 formed by a cloth is with two opposite edges attached to the longitudinal beams 3. The longitudinal beams 3 are formed by extrusion profiles. Coupling pieces 11A and 11B are pressed into the ends of the longitudinal beams 3. The transverse elements 7 are attached to these coupling pieces 11A and 1 IB. The transverse elements 7 also have two parts that are hingedly connected to each other and to the coupling pieces.

[0047] Figures 5, 6 and 7 show the end of one of the longitudinal beams 3 containing the coupling piece 11A in perspective, side view and longitudinal section, respectively, along line VII- VII in figure 6. The coupling piece 11A is provided with a protrusion 21 that can be slid in a recess present in the coupling piece 11B. The coupling piece 11A further has two protrusions, each provided with a hole 13 through which a hinge pin 15 is present. The hinge pin is also present through holes in the transverse element 7 and forms the hinged connection between the coupling piece 11A and the transverse element 7. The two parts of the transverse element 7 are secured relative to each other by fixing means 9. This will be further clarified later.

[0048] Figures 8, 9 and 10 show the end of the longitudinal beam 3 containing the coupling piece 11B, also in perspective, side view and longitudinal section along line X-X in Figure 9 respectively. The coupling piece 11B is provided with a recess 23 into which a protrusion 21 present on the coupling piece 11A can be slid. The coupling piece 11B furthermore also has two protrusions, each of which is provided with a hole 13 through which a hinge pin 15 is present. This hinge pin is also present through holes in a further transverse element 7 and forms the hinged connection between the coupling piece 11B and the transverse element 7. The two parts of this transverse element 7 are also secured relative to each other by further fixing means 9. Figures 11-16 show segment 1A at various stages during unfolding from the collapsed position (Figures 11 and 12) via an intermediate position (Figures 13 and 14) to an unfolded position (Figures 15 and 16). Figures 11, 13 and 15 show the segment in top view and figures 12, 14 and 16 show the segment in cross-section along the lines A-A, B-B and C-C respectively. The parts 7D and 7E of the transverse elements 7 move from a scissored position in which they are virtually against each other to an extended position in which they are in line with each other.

[0049] Figures 17-22 show the coupling of two segments 1A and IB in different stages, with figures 17 and 18 showing the situation shortly before coupling, figures 19 and 20 showing the situation during coupling and figures 21 and 22 show the situation in coupled state. Figures 17, 19 and 21 show the segments in top view and figures 18, 20 and 22 show the segments from below at the location of the coupling. The protrusions 21 on the coupling pieces 11A slide into the recesses 23 in the coupling pieces 11B.

[0050] For the sake of clarity, Figures 23-25 show in detail in various views the parts 7D and 7E of the transverse elements held in a fixed state by the tensioning means 9. These parts 7D and 7E are hingedly connected to each other via two hinge shafts 31 and a coupling piece 33. In a fixed position, the end surfaces 7c of parts 7D and 7E are against each other. A hook 25 is attached to part 7E and a rotatable handle 29 with an eye 27 hingedly connected thereto is present on part 7D. By hooking the eye 27 behind the hook 25 and turning the handle 29 to the position shown in the figures, the eye 27 pulls the hook 25 towards the handle 29, so that the end surfaces 7c are pulled together and the parts 7D and 7E cannot be rotated with respect to each other.

[0051] Although the invention has been explained in the foregoing with reference to the drawings, it must be noted that the invention is by no means limited to the embodiments shown in the drawings. The invention also extends to all embodiments deviating from the embodiments shown in the drawings within the framework defined by the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. Lightweight bridge comprising at least one segment (1; 1A) that: includes two parallel longitudinal beams (3), as well as a bridge deck (5) that is attached to both longitudinal beams (3), and transverse elements (7) that are present between the longitudinal beams (3) and that at the ends (7a) are connected to the longitudinal beams (3), characterized in that: the two longitudinal beams (3) are moveable between a use position in which the two longitudinal beams (3) are spaced apart and a storage position in which the two longitudinal beams (3) are against each other, the bridge deck (5) is foldable or collapsible, the transverse elements (7) are collapsible or retractable, in the operating position of the longitudinal beams (3), the transverse elements (7) are folded out or extended, with the bridge deck (5) extending tightly between the two longitudinal beams (3), and in the storage position of the longitudinal beams (3), the transverse elements (7) are folded or retracted, with the bridge deck (5) folded between the two longitudinal beams (3), and the segment (1; 1A) further comprises fixing means (9) to fix the transverse elements (7) in the unfolded or extended position.

2. Lightweight bridge according to claim 1, characterized in that the bridge deck (5) is formed by a cloth that with opposite edges is attached to the longitudinal beams (3).

3. Lightweight bridge according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the transverse elements (7) each comprise two parts (7D, 7E), each of which with one end are hingedly connected (7a) to the longitudinal beams (3) and with the other end (7b) are hingedly connected to each other.

4. Lightweight bridge according to claim 3, characterized in that the transverse elements (7) are present at the ends of the longitudinal beams (3).

5. Lightweight bridge according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the fixing means (9) are configured in such a way that they can fix the two hingedly connected parts (7D, 7E) of the transverse elements (7) relative to each other.

6. Lightweight bridge according to claim 5, characterized in that the fixing means (9) comprise a tensioning element with which end surfaces (7c) of the ends (7b) of the two parts (7D, 7E) of the transverse element (7) are drawn against each other.

7. Lightweight bridge according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one further segment (IB) that is releasably coupled to the other segment (1A), wherein the longitudinal beams (3) of the segments (1A, IB) are in line with each other and are connected to each other.

8. Lightweight bridge according to claim 7, characterized in that at the ends of the longitudinal beams (3) there are coupling pieces (11) that can be coupled to each other and to which the transverse elements (7) can be hingedly connected.

9. Lightweight bridge according to claim 7, characterized in that the coupling pieces (11 A, 11B) are provided with a hole (13) through which a hinge pin (15) can be inserted.

10. Lightweight bridge according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that at one end of the longitudinal beams (3) the coupling pieces (11 A) are provided with a protrusion (21) and at the other end of the longitudinal beams (3) the coupling pieces (11B) are provided with a recess (23), whereby the coupling piece (11A) provided with the protrusion (21) can be slid into the coupling piece (11B) provided with a recess (23) in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal beams (3) and towards the outside of the lightweight bridge, so that the coupling pieces (11 A, 11B) are connected to each other in a form-fitting manner in the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal beams (3).

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