A sectional pontoon bridge

Description

[0001] The invention relates to pontoon bridges.

[0002] The currently known and used buoyant systems comprise individual buoyant segments, which are objects made of metal or plastics, having different dimensions and a closed form. The ready-to-use buoyant segments must have factory-provided leak tightness to provide appropriate displacement. Their disadvantages include high transport volume and requirement for abundant transport means, accompanying equipment (e.g. cranes) and service personnel. Large and heavy pontoons forming military buoyant systems of this type are known from the Polish patent PL158579 and the Polish patent application PL297453.

[0003] In particular, the steel segments known from the Polish patent PL158579, due to their high dead weight and large dimensions, allow one truck to transport only two segments. Loading and unloading of these pontoons, as well as their service and assembly on water need numerous, highly qualified crew and specialized equipment. All of that limits the scope of applications of such heavy constructions. The lack of mobility makes them unusable especially in hard cross-country conditions, which limits operational capabilities. Exploitation of such constructions is very expensive. Steel pontoons require providing appropriate conditions of storage (in particular, large space) and anti-corrosion protection. They also require maintenance of additional sites with specially adapted vehicles for transport of individual segments and additional equipment necessary for assembly, disassembly and maintenance in operating condition. The complicated exploitation procedures of heavy metal pontoons having closed form require also maintaining numerous crew and appropriate training of service personnel. The mobility of such objects is very limited due to their constructional features. Use of such constructions involves complicated connecting mechanisms. The above features result in high exploitation costs of such constructions.

[0004] A French patent application FR2079688 presents a cassette for a pontoon bridge, the cassette comprising a main compartment, a pair of pontoons installed in the main compartment and movable lids configured to open under pressure of the extending pontoons when the pontoons are inflated. The pontoons are secured by protective bands attached to the inside of the top of the main compartment.

[0005] The object of the invention is a cassette for a pontoon bridge, the cassette comprising a main compartment, a pontoon having an elastic or semi-elastic cushion installed in the main compartment, a split bottom of the main compartment with movable lids configured to open under pressure of the extending pontoon when the pontoon is inflated such as to allow extension of the pontoon outside the main compartment, wherein the cushion of the pontoon (2) is made of puncture-resistant, reinforced material and wherein the cassette further comprises an elastic net (6) attached to the movable lids of the split bottom (3) and configured to keep the bottom part of the pontoon (2) substantially above the bottom edges of the movable lids of the split bottom (3).

[0006] The movable lids of the split bottom can be further configured to close and fold the pontoon into the main compartment when the pontoon is deflated.

[0007] Each of the movable lids of the split bottom can be connected with the main compartment by hinges with a spring mechanism configured to bias the movable lids to closed position.

[0008] The split bottom can be a two-lid bottom comprising two movable lids installed opposite each other.

[0009] The elastic net can be further configured to limit the maximum opening of the movable lids of the split bottom.

[0010] The main compartment can be made of lightweight plastics.

[0011] The main compartment can be joined with a roadway surface for moving vehicles.

[0012] The cassette may further comprise connectors for connecting the cassette with other cassettes.

[0013] The pontoon can be inflatable with an inflating system having pressure connectors for connecting the inflating system with inflating systems of other cassettes.

[0014] The movable lids of the split bottom can be made of reinforced material to provide ballistic cover for the pontoon.

[0015] Another object of the present invention is a pontoon bridge formed of a plurality of the cassettes according to the invention.

[0016] A plurality of cassettes can be connected with connectors limiting the range of movement between the cassettes.

[0017] A plurality of cassettes may have an inflating system for inflating the pontoons and wherein the inflating systems of the cassettes are connected together with pressure connectors.

[0018] The present invention is shown by way of exemplary embodiment on a drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a cassette pontoon bridge comprising individual cassettes.

Fig. 2 shows the cassette in a transport position.

Fig. 3 shows the cassette in a working position.

Fig. 4 shows the cassette in an intermediate position.

[0019] The cassette pontoon bridge according to the invention has a modular structure and is composed of individual cassettes 1, as shown in Fig. 1. A plurality of cassettes 1 can be immediately assembled and used to build the cassette pontoon bridge.

[0020] The main element of construction of a single cassette 1 of the cassette pontoon bridge is a main compartment 9 of the cassette 1 made of lightweight plastics, such as polyurethane, polyethylene. A pontoon 2, having a high strength elastic cushion, is installed in the compartment 9 of the cassette 1. In a transport position, the cushion of the pontoon 2 is packed up inside the main compartment 9, which is closed by a split bottom 3. The split bottom 3 comprises a movable left and a movable right lid, installed on lid hinges together with a spring mechanism 4. The lids are closed by means of the spring mechanism 4. An elastic net 6 is attached to both lids of the cassette 1, which stabilizes the pontoon 2 in the open position and facilitates its proper folding and sets its placement for the transport position. The net 6 also closes the split bottom 3. The cushion of the pontoon 2 is inflated with compressed air by an inflating system, the elements of which are joined between individual cassettes 1 by quick-release pressure connectors 5. The top portion of the cassette 1 is joined with a roadway surface 7 for moving vehicles. The cassettes 1 are interconnected by means of intersegmental connectors 8, which provide adequately strong connections between individual cassettes 1 of the cassette pontoon bridge and limit the range of movement between the cassettes 1.

[0021] A single cassette 1 is characterized by a construction allowing easy and quick folding to a transport position, as shown in Fig. 2. In the transport position, the cushion of the pontoon 2 is packed up into the main chamber of the cassette 1, which is closed by the split bottom 3. Therefore, the volume of the cassette 1 can be decreased, which provides saving of the transport space and increases the mobility of the cassette pontoon bridge.

[0022] The cassette 1 has a variable displacement. The element providing the variable displacement during use is a high-strength, in particular resistant to punctures, elastic or semi-elastic cushion of the pontoon 2, for example made of polyurethane. The cushion can be filled with compressed air and when filled, it provides adequate buoyant force. The level of filling defines the displacement of the cassette 1, which is equal to the difference between the buoyant force and the dead weight of the cassette 1. Therefore, the displacement of the cassette pontoon bridge, as well as its draught, can be varied by varying the level of filling of individual cassettes 1.

[0023] The lids of the split bottom 3 are opened by means of change of pressure inside the cushion of the pontoon 2, during operation of the filing system, and can be easily closed by means of the spring mechanism 4 aided by the net 6 extended within the compartment 9 of the cassette 1, which also folds the cushion of the pontoon 2 into the cassette 1. The pontoon 2, during the operation of filling, opens by means of its pressure both lids of the split bottom 3 aside and stretches the net 6 attached to the lids, as shown in Fig. 4. The opened lids in the working position, as shown in Fig. 3, are used as ballistic cover of the cassette pontoon bridge for military applications. To provide adequate ballistic cover, the lids of the split bottom 3 are made of reinforced material. When air is released, the pontoon 2 is folded by the elastic net 6, which pulls it inside the cassette 1. The open lids of the split bottom 3 protect the cushion of the pontoon 2 at its sides from damage.

[0024] An important element of the cassette 1 of the cassette pontoon bridge is the elastic net 6 extending between the lids of the split bottom 3. Both lids of the split bottom 3, when ajar, are opened by the pontoon 2 during use of the filling system. The net 6 keeps the lids of the split bottom 3 in a proper position and limits the lids from extensive opening. Therefore, the elastic net 6 is configured to limit the maximum opening of the movable lids of the split bottom 3. As seen in the figures, the elastic net 6 is configured to keep the bottom part of the pontoon substantially above the bottom edges of the movable lids of the split bottom 3.

[0025] Therefore, the cassette pontoon bridge according to the invention is to be understood as an object formed by any assembly of individual cassettes having configurations and dimensions equal to the multiple of dimensions of the individual cassettes shown in the drawings. The cassette pontoon bridge may be used to form floating bridges, floating footbridges, floating platforms, floating wharfs, floating jetties, ferries or rafts.

[0026] The cassette pontoon bridge can be used to form stationary and temporary objects. It can be used in many public, commercial, tourist, recreational or amusement applications. However, it is particularly useful for military applications, as well as during natural or building disasters. In particular, the possibility of positioning of the cassette pontoon bridge below the water surface (the crossing camouflage) is particularly useful for military applications.

[0027] The objects formed of individual cassettes of the cassette pontoon bridge may also function as temporary crossing, in place of stationary crossing objects which have been damaged or broken. The cassette pontoon bridge may be also used as a substitute crossing during repairs and conservation of stationary crossing objects and other elements of water infrastructure. The crossing may be two-way.

[0028] The possibility of arbitrary forming of the dimensions and configuration of the cassette pontoon bridge is achieved by full repeatability and variable displacement of individual cassettes. The cassettes can be re-used for many assembly and disassembly operations. The leak-tightness and displacement can be guaranteed for various exploitation conditions. The cassettes are highly susceptible to damages and destruction, due to reinforced cushion of the pontoon and covers formed by the lids of the split bottom. All of the above increases the possible applications of the cassette pontoon bridge. The displacement of the cassette pontoon bridge may be regulated, as it depends on the level of filling of the pontoons with compressed air.

[0029] The constructional features of the cassettes provide easy transport of a higher number of cassettes in small cargo space, quick assembly of long runs of the cassette pontoon bridge and compact construction due to foldable pontoon. This allows easy storage and transport of the elements of the system. Due to simple construction and small number of elements, the assembly of fully functional floating objects can be achieved by sparse crew without special training.

Claims

1. A cassette for a pontoon bridge, the cassette (1) comprising:

- a main compartment (9),

- a pontoon (2) having an elastic or semi-elastic cushion installed in the main compartment (9),

- a split bottom (3) of the main compartment (9) with movable lids configured to open under pressure of the extending pontoon (2) when the pontoon (2) is inflated such as to allow extension of the pontoon (2) outside the main compartment (9)
characterized in that

- the cushion of the pontoon (2) is made of puncture-resistant, reinforced material,

- and the cassette further comprises an elastic net (6) attached to the movable lids of the split bottom (3) and configured to keep the bottom part of the pontoon (2) substantially above the bottom edges of the movable lids of the split bottom (3).

2. The cassette according to claim 1, wherein the movable lids of the split bottom (3) are further configured to close and fold the pontoon (2) into the main compartment (9) when the pontoon (2) is deflated.

3. The cassette according to any of claims 1-2, wherein each of the movable lids of the split bottom (3) is connected with the main compartment (9) by hinges with a spring mechanism (4) configured to bias the movable lids to closed position.

4. The cassette according to any of previous claims, wherein the split bottom (3) is a two-lid bottom comprising two movable lids installed opposite each other.

5. The cassette according to any of previous claims, wherein the elastic net (6) is further configured to limit the maximum opening of the movable lids of the split bottom (3).

6. The cassette according to any of previous claims, wherein the main compartment (9) is made of lightweight plastics.

7. The cassette according to any of previous claims, wherein the main compartment (9) is joined with a roadway surface (7) for moving vehicles.

8. The cassette according to any of previous claims, further comprising connectors (8) for connecting the cassette (1) with other cassettes (1).

9. The cassette according to any of previous claims, wherein the pontoon (2) has pressure connectors (5) for connecting the cassette with inflating systems of other cassettes (1).

10. The cassette according to any of previous claims, wherein the movable lids of the split bottom (3) are made of reinforced material to provide ballistic cover for the pontoon (2).

11. A pontoon bridge formed of a plurality of the cassettes (1) according to any of claims 1-10.

12. The pontoon bridge according to claim 11, wherein the plurality of cassettes (1) are connected with connectors (8) limiting the range of movement between the cassettes (1).

13. The pontoon bridge according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the plurality of cassettes have an inflating system for inflating the pontoons (2) and wherein the inflating systems of the cassettes (1) are connected together with pressure connectors (5).

Ansprüche

1. Die Kassette der Pontonbrücke, die folgende Komponenten beinhaltet:

- Hauptkammer (9),

- Ponton (2) mit einer elastischen Beschichtung in der Hauptkammer (9),

- geteilter Boden (3) der Hauptkammer (9) mit beweglichen deckeln,

- die sich durch den Druck des sich beim aufblasen ausdehnenden Pontons (2) öffnen, so dass eine Ausdehnung des Pontons (2) über die Hauptkammer (9) hinaus möglich ist,

dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass

- die pontonbeschichtung (2) aus einem durchschlagfesten, verstärkten, elastischen bzw. Halbelastischen material ausgeführt ist,

- und die Kassette darüber hinaus über ein elastisches Netz (6) verfügt, die an die beweglichen Deckel des geteilten Bodens (3) angeschlossen ist und für das Aufrechthalten des unteren Pontonteils grundsätzlich über den unteren Kanten der beweglichen Deckel des geteilten Bodens (3) geeignet ist.

2. Die Kassette nach dem Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die beweglichen Deckel des geteilten Bodens (3) auch dafür geeignet sind, den Ponton (2) zu schließen und ihn in die Hauptkammer (9) zusammenzurollen, während die Luft aus dem Ponton (2) ausgeht.

3. Die Kassette nach einem der Ansprüche 1-2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass jeder bewegliche Deckel des geteilten Bodens (3) an die Hauptkammer (9) mit Hilfe von Federscharnieren (4) angeschlossen ist, die dafür geeignet sind, die beweglichen Deckel zu schließen.

4. Die Kassette nach einem der früheren Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der geteilte Boden (3) zweiteilig ist und zwei bewegliche Deckel, die gegenüberliegend angebracht sind, aufweist.

5. Die Kassette nach einem der früheren Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das elastische Netz (6) auch dafür geeignet ist, die maximale Öffnung der beweglichen Deckel des geteilten Bodens (3) einzuschränken.

6. Die Kassette nach einem der früheren Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Hauptkammer (9) aus leichten Kunststoffen ausgeführt ist.

7. Die Kassette nach einem der früheren Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Hauptkammer (9) mit der Fahrbahn (7) für die fahrenden Kraftfahrzeuge verbunden ist.

8. Die Kassette nach einem der früheren Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sie auch Verbindungen (8) aufweist, mit denen die Kassetten (1) an andere Kassetten (1) angeschlossen werden.

9. Die Kassette nach einem der früheren Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Ponton (2) über eine Druckverbindung (5) verfügt, mit der die Kassetten an die Systeme zum Aufblasen anderer Kassetten (1) angeschlossen sind.

10. Die Kassette nach einem der früheren Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die beweglichen Deckel des geteilten Bodens (3) aus einem verstärkten Material ausgeführt sind, um den Ponton (2) ballistisch zu schützen.

11. Die Pontonbrücke aus mehreren Kassetten (1) nach einem der Ansprüche 1-10.

12. Die Pontonbrücke nach dem Anspruch 11, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass mehrere Kassetten (1) mit Hilfe von Verbindungen (8), welche die Bewegungsmöglichkeit zwischen den Kassetten (1) reduzieren, aneinander angeschlossen sind.

13. Die Pontonbrücke nach dem Anspruch 11 bzw. 12, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass mehrere Kassetten über ein System verfügen, mit dem die Pontons (2) aufgeblasen werden und diese Systeme aneinander mit Druckverbindungen (5) angeschlossen sind.

Revendications

1. Caisson du ponton flottant contenant :

- une chambre principale (9),

- un ponton (2) avec un revêtement souple, installé dans la chambre principale (9),

- un fond divisé (3) de la chambre principale (9) avec des couvercles mobiles, adaptés à l'ouverture sous l'impact de la pression exercée par le ponton (2) qui s'élargit pendant le gonflage du ponton (2) de manière à permettre l'élargissement du ponton (2) au-delà de la chambre principale (9),
caractérisé en ce que

- le revêtement du ponton (2) est fait en matière résistante au percement, renforcée, souple ou demi-souple,

- et que le caisson comprend aussi un grillage souple (6) attaché aux couvercles mobiles du fond divisé (3) et adapté à maintenir la partie basse du ponton principalement au-dessus des rebords inférieurs des couvercles mobiles du fond divisé (3).

2. Caisson selon la revendication 1 dans lequel les couvercles mobiles du fond divisé (3) sont, de plus, adaptés à la fermeture et à l'enroulement du ponton (2) pour le placer dans la chambre principale (9) pendant le dégonflage du ponton (2).

3. Caisson selon une revendication 1 à 2 quelconque dans lequel chaque couvercle mobile du fond divisé (3) est connecté à la chambre principale (9) par des charnières avec un dispositif à ressort (4) adapté à appuyer les couvercles mobiles pour les maintenir en position fermée.

4. Caisson selon une revendication ci-dessus quelconque dans lequel le fond (3) est divisé en deux et comprend deux couvercles mobiles installés l'un en face de l'autre.

5. Caisson selon une revendication ci-dessus quelconque dans lequel le grillage souple (6) est, de plus, adapté à limiter l'ouverture maximale des couvercles mobiles du fond divisé (3).

6. Caisson selon une revendication ci-dessus quelconque dans lequel la chambre principale (9) est faite en matières plastiques légères.

7. Caisson selon une revendication ci-dessus quelconque dans lequel la chambre principale (9) est connectée à la surface de roulage (7) sur laquelle les véhicules circulent.

8. Caisson selon une revendication ci-dessus quelconque qui comprend, de plus, des raccords (8) permettant de connecter le caisson (1) à d'autres caissons (1).

9. Caisson selon une revendication ci-dessus quelconque dans lequel le ponton (2) est équipé des raccords pression (5) permettant de connecter les caissons aux systèmes de gonflage d'autres caissons (1).

10. Caisson selon une revendication ci-dessus quelconque dans lequel les couvercles mobiles du fond divisé (3) sont faits en matière renforcée pour assurer une protection balistique du ponton (2).

11. Ponton flottant fait en plusieurs caissons (1) selon une revendication 1 à 10 quelconque.

12. Ponton flottant selon la revendication 11 dans lequel plusieurs caissons (1) sont raccordés avec des raccords (8) qui limitent la plage du mouvement entre les caissons (1).

13. Ponton flottant selon la revendication 11 ou 12 dans lequel plusieurs caissons sont équipés d'un système de gonflage des pontons (2) et dans lesquels ces systèmes de gonflage des caissons (1) sont connectés entre eux par des raccords pression (5).

Drawing