Rapid deployment floating bridges

Abstract

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

1 . A floating bridge for rapid deployment at a water crossing for carrying traffic between a first shore and a second shore, the bridge comprising:
 a first shore approach at the first shore and a second shore approach at the second shore, each shore approach comprising a traffic carrying structure;   a first elevated transition span pivotally connected to the first shore approach and a second elevated transition span pivotally connected to the second shore approach, each elevated transition span comprising a traffic carrying structure; and   a plurality of floating spans connected together between the first and second elevated transition spans, the floating spans including at least one transition floating span that carries traffic between an adjacent higher elevation span and an adjacent lower elevation span;   the shore approaches and all of the spans being constructed of parts transportable by truck or boat.   
   
   
       2 . The floating bridge of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the floating spans is pivotally connected to an adjacent span at one and releasably connected to an adjacent span at an opposite end so as to be pivotable horizontally on the water between a closed traffic carrying condition and an open condition in which an opening in the bridge is created for marine navigation. 
   
   
       3 . The floating bridge of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of floating spans comprises two adjacent floating spans which are releasably connected together at adjacent ends thereof and each pivotally connected to an adjacent span at an opposed end thereof so that each is pivotable on the water between a closed traffic carrying condition and an open condition in which an opening in the bridge between the pivoted spans is created for marine navigation. 
   
   
       4 . The floating bridge of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one floating transition span is pivotally connected to an elevated transition span at one end to permit relative pivoting of the floating transition span and the elevated transition span about a horizontal axis, and connected at an opposite end to a floating span. 
   
   
       5 . The floating bridge of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one shore approach comprises a load-bearing abutment. 
   
   
       6 . The floating bridge of  claim 1 , wherein the load-bearing abutment comprises one or more of reinforced earth wall construction, piles and modular precast or pre-constructed load bearing units 
   
   
       7 . The floating bridge of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the elevated transition spans is elevated a sufficient distance above water level at least for a portion thereof to form a channel for marine navigation therebelow. 
   
   
       8 . The floating bridge of  claim 2 , comprising a hinge connector attached to the pivotally connected floating spans which pivotally connects the pivotally connected floating spans. 
   
   
       9 . The floating bridge of  claim 8 , wherein each hinge connector comprises two leaves pivotally connected by a pin, each leaf of a connector being connected to adjacent pivotally connected spans, and a locking connector which comprises a mating locking part associated with each leaf. 
   
   
       10 . The floating bridge of  claim 9 , wherein one locking connector part comprises jaws and a linkage connected to the jaws for pivoting between a locking position and an unlocking position, and wherein the other locking connector part comprises an opening to receive the linked jaws therein, the opening including at least one edge and the linked jaws engaging the edge in response to activation of the linkage. 
   
   
       11 . The floating bridge of  claim 10 , comprising a rod connected to the linkage to activate the linkage. 
   
   
       12 . The floating bridge of  claim 9 , wherein one locking connector part comprises a projection including a hook and the other locking connector part comprises an opening to receive the projection and a locking pin connected to be movable between positions engaging and not engaging the hook when the projection is received in the opening. 
   
   
       13 . The floating bridge of  claim 12 , wherein the locking pin is connected to be moved manually. 
   
   
       14 . The floating bridge of  claim 12 , wherein the projection comprises a pyramidal shape. 
   
   
       15 . The floating bridge of  claim 1 , comprising an anchoring system which anchors at least one floating span to the water bottom when the anchoring system is attached to the at least one floating span, the anchoring system comprising a plurality of modular anchor elements which each comprise a base module situated on or in the water bottom on opposites sides of the at least one floating span, at least one stackable element attached to the base element, at least one cable attached to each anchor element and the at least floating span and a winch associated with the at least one floating span connected to each cable. 
   
   
       16 . The floating bridge of  claim 1 , wherein each of the floating spans comprises a plurality of pontoons connected together transversely of traffic carried by the respective span. 
   
   
       17 . The floating bridge of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one floating transition span comprises a floating structure and supports extending upwardly from the floating structure to and supporting a traffic carrying structure, the supports comprising supports of different height arranged to provide a grade to the traffic carrying structure from the higher elevation span to the lower elevation span. 
   
   
       18 . The floating bridge of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one floating transition span is connected to the first elevated transition span, and comprising a floating transition span and a plurality of pilings in the water, the floating transition span being pivotally connected to the second elevated transition span to permit relative pivoting therebetween about a horizontal axis, and to the pilings positioned adjacent the floating transition span so as to permit vertical movement of the floating transition span relative to the pilings in accordance with changes in water level at the second shore. 
   
   
       19 . The floating bridge of  claim 1 , wherein the bridge is configured for pedestrian traffic, vehicle traffic, or both. 
   
   
       20 . A plurality of connected floating bridge spans comprising:
 a first floating bridge span;   a second floating bridge span;   a hinge connector comprising a first hinge leaf connected to the first floating bridge span and a second hinge leaf connected to the second floating bridge span at a location adjacent the location at which the first hinge leaf is connected to the first floating span; and at least one connector part; and   a locking connector associated with the hinge connector for locking the first and second spans together, the locking connector comprising connector parts associated with each of the hinge leafs that are configured and positioned to mate and lock.   
   
   
       21 . The floating bridge of  claim 20 , wherein one locking connector part comprises jaws and a linkage connected to the jaws for pivoting between a locking position and an unlocking position, and wherein the other locking connector part comprises an opening to receive the linked jaws therein, the opening including at least one edge and the linked jaws engaging the edge in response to activation of the linkage. 
   
   
       22 . The floating bridge of  claim 21 , comprising a rod connected to the linkage to activate the linkage. 
   
   
       23 . A pontoon for a floating structure, the pontoon comprising a first end, a second end, opposed sides, a top and a bottom, which are connected together to form a hollow, water-tight structure, wherein:
 the top and bottom are parallel to each other, the sides are parallel to each other and extend normal to the top and bottom, and each of the opposed sides is substantially longer than each of the ends, whereby the pontoon is elongated;   at least a portion of the first end being sloped inwardly relative to the top; and   the second end extending normal to the top and bottom.   
   
   
       24 . The pontoon of  claim 23 , comprising a wearing surface attached to the top adapted to carry vehicle traffic when the pontoon is assembled into the floating bridge. 
   
   
       25 . A pontoon structure for a floating structure, the pontoon structure comprising a plurality of pontoons each of which comprises a first end, a second end, opposed sides, a top and a bottom, which are connected together to form a hollow, water-tight structure, wherein, for each pontoon:
 the top and bottom are parallel to each other, the sides are parallel to each other and extend normal to the top and bottom, and each of the opposed sides is substantially longer than each of the ends, whereby the pontoon is elongated;   at least a portion of the first end being sloped inwardly relative to the top; and   the second end extending normal to the top and bottom;   a first and a second of the pontoons being arranged longitudinally aligned with respective second ends in contact, and connected together.   
   
   
       26 . The pontoon structure of  claim 25 , comprising a plurality of parallel tubes running laterally through each pontoon opening to opposed sides of the respective pontoon, openings and tubes of adjacent pontoons being aligned and defining sets of aligned tubes, a cable passing through each set of aligned tubes adapted to be tensioned to attach adjacent pontoons together. 
   
   
       27 . The pontoon structure of  claim 25 , comprising a wearing surface attached to the top of each of the first and second pontoons, the floating structure adapted to be assembled into a floating bridge and the wearing surface being adapted to carry vehicle traffic when the pontoon is assembled into the floating bridge. 
   
   
       28 . The pontoon structure of  claim 25 , wherein the plurality of pontoons comprises third and fourth pontoons, each of which comprises a first end, a second end, opposed sides, a top and a bottom and comprises the same configuration as the first and second pontoons except that the sides, top and bottom of the third and fourth pontoons are shorter than the sides, top and bottom of the first and second pontoons, the third pontoon being connected to first pontoon with respective first ends being aligned and the fourth pontoon being connected to the second pontoon with respective first ends being aligned such that a space is created between respective second ends of the third and fourth pontoons, the space being adapted to drain liquid therethrough from the pontoon structure. 
   
   
       29 . The pontoon structure of  claim 28 , comprising a wearing surface attached to the top of each of the third and fourth pontoons in respective alignment with the plates attached to the tops of the first and second pontoons, the floating structure adapted to be assembled into a floating bridge and the wearing surface being adapted to carry vehicle traffic when the pontoon is assembled into the floating bridge. 
   
   
       30 . A pontoon for a floating structure, the pontoon comprising:
 ends, sides, a top and a bottom, which are connected together to form a hollow, water-tight structure;   a winch within a watertight space;   a cable connected to the water winch;   a watertight tube comprising a first end near the bottom of the pontoon and a second end near the top of the pontoon adjacent the winch, the tube having a first opening communicating with the exterior of the pontoon and a second opening communicating with the watertight space;   the cable passing through the tube and extending from the winch to the exterior of the pontoon.   
   
   
       31 . The pontoon according to  claim 30 , wherein the cable is adapted to be attached to an anchor. 
   
   
       32 . A staging area from which a floating bridge can be rapidly deployed, the floating bridge comprising a plurality of floating spans constructed of attached pontoons, the staging area comprising:
 a site near a water crossing which the floating bridge is to bridge;   at least one storage area on the site for receiving pontoons transported by truck;   at least one assembly area on the site for assembling the floating spans on water from pontoons; and   a launching area for at least one of the assembly sites floating therefrom an assembled span.   
   
   
       33 . A floating bridge comprising a plurality of floating spans two of which are pivotally connected for pivoting horizontally on the water and an anchor system attached at least to the pivoting spans, the anchor system comprising a plurality of anchor elements engaging water bottom, at least one for each side of a span, a cable attached to each anchor element at one end, a winch carried by the span for each side of the span, each cable being connected at an opposite end to a winch, the cables being positioned so that operation of a selected winch or winches acts to pivot the span.