Hoop Truss Bridge

Abstract

A tubular truss bridge structure comprising a plurality of interconnected angularly interrelated hoop shaped cross members having a common longitudinal central axis and forming alternately inverted triangular spaces along the length of the tubular truss and having a plurality of spaced apart longitudinal stringer members that interconnect the hoop shaped cross members.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . The bridge structure of  claim 9  and further comprising,
 at least one deck disposed as a chord of the hoop shaped web forming members and extending lengthwise of the tubular truss. 
 
     
     
         3 . The bridge structure of  claim 9  where the beam flange means comprises a plurality of stringers disposed parallel to the common central axis and connected to the hoop shaped web forming members. 
     
     
         4 . The bridge structure of  claim 9  where the beam flange means comprises skin members attached to the hoop shaped web forming members. 
     
     
         5 - 6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . The bridge structure of  claim 9  where the common central axis is cambered vertically and the angular relation between adjacent hoops is unequal. 
     
     
         8 . The bridge structure of  claim 9  and further including,
 overhead support means attached to the hoop shaped web members. 
 
     
     
         9 . A tubular truss beam bridge structure comprising,
 a plurality of interconnected angularly interrelated hoop shaped web forming members having a common central axis wherein each web forming member has a perimeter and a major axis, said web forming members defining alternately inverted triangular spaces along the length of the tubular truss beam.   
     
     
         10 . The bridge structure of  claim 9  and further including beam flange means for interconnecting the hoop shaped web members. 
     
     
         11 . The bridge structure of  claim 9  where the common central axis is a straight line and where the hoop shaped web members are interconnected at nodal points that are defined by the intersections of the major axis of each hoop with the perimeter of the hoop and where the angular relations between adjacent hoops are equal. 
     
     
         12 . The bridge structure of  claim 9  where the common central axis is a curved line and where the hoop shaped web members are interconnected at points angularly offset from nodal points that are defined by the intersections of the major axis of each hoop with the perimeter of the hoop and where the angular relations between adjacent hoops are unequal. 
     
     
         13 . A tubular truss beam bridge structure comprising,
 a plurality of adjacently positioned hoop shaped members having a common central axis, each having a perimeter and where adjacent hoop shaped members are interconnected at a single point on their respective perimeters.   
     
     
         14 . The truss beam bridge of  claim 13  where each hoop shaped member has a major axis and where the intersections of the major axis and the perimeter of each hoop shaped member define first and second nodal points and where adjacently positioned hoop shaped members are interconnected on their perimeters alternately at their first and second nodal points and where alternating hoop shaped members comprise a pair of members that are mutually parallel. 
     
     
         15 . The truss beam bridge of  claim 13  where each hoop shaped member has a major axis and where the intersections of the major axis and the perimeter of each hoop shaped member constitute first and second nodal points and where adjacently positioned hoop shaped members are interconnected on their perimeters alternately at points spaced from the first and second nodal points.