Methods and apparatus for a modular crossing system

Abstract

A modular crossing system generally includes a set of modules and a set of segments (e.g., bridge segments). Each segment includes a subset of the set of modules, and at least a portion of the set of segments are configured to be rotateably interlocked with a subsequent segment such that the set of segments form a crossing assembly having a deployed state and a collapsed state. Each module of the set of modules may include a hinge pin opening configured to removeably accept one of the set of hinge pins. The set of segments may be rotateably interlocked via the set of hinge pins.

1 . A modular crossing system comprising:
 a set of modules; and   a set of segments, each segment comprising a subset of the set of modules;   wherein at least a portion of the set of segments are configured to be rotateably interlocked with a subsequent segment such that the set of segments form a crossing assembly having a deployed state and a packed state.   
     
     
         2 . The modular crossing system of  claim 1 , further comprising a set of hinge pins, wherein each module of the set of modules includes a hinge pin opening configured to removeably accept one of the set of hinge pins, and wherein the set of segments are configured to be rotateably interlocked via the set of hinge pins. 
     
     
         3 . The modular crossing system of  claim 2 , wherein the position of the hinge pin openings are configured such that the crossing assembly has a predetermined curvature in the deployed state. 
     
     
         4 . The modular crossing system of  claim 2 , further including a cable assembly configured to secure at least a portion of the set of segments in the deployed state. 
     
     
         5 . The modular crossing system of  claim 2 , wherein the set of segments and the hinge pins are configured such that the crossing assembly transitions from the packed state to the deployed state using a scissor-type movement. 
     
     
         6 . The modular crossing system of  claim 2 , wherein the set of segments and the hinge pins are configured such that the crossing assembly transitions from the deployed state to the packed state using a collapsing-type movement. 
     
     
         7 . The modular crossing system of  claim 1 , wherein the set of segments is selected such that the crossing assembly, in the deployed state, fulfills predetermined criteria including at least one of span length, load category, deployment method, and shipping constraints. 
     
     
         8 . The modular crossing system of  claim 1 , wherein each module of the set of modules is a generally rectangular structure, and wherein the subset of modules composing each segment are equispaced and configured to be interdigitated with the subsequent segment. 
     
     
         9 . An automated method of providing a crossing assembly, comprising:
 providing a set of modules and a set of segments, each segment comprising a subset of the set of modules;   determining a required span length;   determining a required deployment method;   selecting, using a processor, a subset of the set of segments based on the required span length and the required deployment method; and   rotateably interlocking at least a portion of the selected subset of segments to form a crossing assembly having a deployed state and a packed state;   wherein the crossing assembly is configured to transition from the packed state to the deployed state in accordance with the required deployment method; and   wherein the crossing assembly is configured to achieve the required span length in the deployed state.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further including determining a required load category, wherein the crossing assembly is configured to achieve the required load category in the deployed state. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , further including determining required shipping constraints, wherein the crossing assembly is configured to achieve the required shipping constraints in the packed state. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein rotateably interlocking the portion of the selected subset of segments includes inserting set of hinge pins into corresponding hinge pin openings in the selected subset of segments. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , further including selecting the subset of the set of segments such that the crossing assembly has a predetermined curvature in the deployed state. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the required deployment method is a scissor-type movement. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the set of segments and the hinge pins are configured such that the crossing assembly transitions from the deployed state to the collapsed state using a collapsing-type movement. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein each module of the set of modules is a generally rectangular structure, and wherein the subset of modules composing each segment are equispaced and configured to be interdigitated with the subsequent segment. 
     
     
         17 . A modular bridge system comprising:
 a plurality of bridge segments, each bridge segment comprising a plurality of segments; and   a plurality of hinge pins;   wherein at least a portion of the plurality of segments are configured to removeably accept one or more of the hinge pins such that the plurality of segments are rotateably interlocked to form a bridge assembly having a deployed state and a packed state; and   wherein the plurality of segments are selected such that the bridge assembly, in the deployed state, fulfills predetermined criteria including at least one of span length, load category, deployment method, and shipping constraints.   
     
     
         18 . The modular bridge system of  claim 17 , wherein the respective positions of the hinge pins within the plurality of segments are configured such that the bridge assembly has a predetermined curvature in the deployed state. 
     
     
         19 . The modular bridge system of  claim 17 , wherein each module of the plurality of modules is a generally rectangular structure, and wherein each of the plurality of segments comprises a set of generally parallel modules. 
     
     
         20 . The modular bridge system of  claim 17 , wherein the deployment method is selected from the group consisting of scissor-type and collapsing-type.