Mobile bridge and method for erecting a bridge

Abstract

A bridge body ( 10 ) and support elements ( 20 ) of a bridge ( 2 ) to be erected are first put in a starting position in which the elements ( 20 ) are moveably associated with the body ( 10 ), and in which the whole of the body ( 10 ) and the elements ( 20 ) is positioned on the ground. The body ( 10 ) and the elements ( 20 ) are subsequently put in a final position in which the body ( 10 ) is at a higher level than ground level, and in which ends ( 22 ) of the elements ( 20 ) are positioned on the ground ( 21 ), by letting a separate device engage with the whole of the body ( 10 ) and the elements ( 20 ), and activating the device for exerting a force on the whole as mentioned in an upward direction, while allowing the elements ( 20 ) to perform a movement with respect to the body ( 10 ).

1 . Method for erecting a bridge ( 1 ,  2 ), wherein a bridge body ( 10 ) and at least two support elements ( 20 ) for supporting the bridge body ( 10 ) on the ground ( 21 ) are provided, wherein the bridge body ( 10 ) and the support elements ( 20 ) are first put in a starting position in which the support elements ( 20 ) are moveably associated with the bridge body ( 10 ), and in which the whole of the bridge body ( 10 ) and the support elements ( 20 ) is positioned on the ground ( 21 ), and wherein the bridge body ( 10 ) and the support elements ( 20 ) are subsequently put in a final position in which the bridge body ( 10 ) is at a higher level than ground level, and in which ends ( 22 ) of the support elements ( 20 ) are positioned on the ground ( 21 ), by providing a separate device, letting the device engage with the whole of the bridge body ( 10 ) and the support elements ( 20 ), and activating the device for exerting a force on the whole of the bridge body ( 10 ) and the support elements ( 20 ) in an upward direction, while allowing the support elements ( 20 ) to perform a movement with respect to the bridge body ( 10 ). 
     
     
         2 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein, in the starting position, the support elements ( 20 ) are hingeably connected to opposite sides of the bridge body ( 10 ), and wherein the support elements ( 20 ) are allowed to perform a hinging movement with respect to the bridge body ( 10 ) when the bridge body ( 10 ) and the support elements ( 20 ) are put in the final position. 
     
     
         3 . Method according to  claim 2 , wherein, in the starting position, the bridge body ( 10 ) and the support elements ( 20 ) are hingeably connected to each other through assemblies of a hook and a shaft engaged by the hook, in which the hook and the shaft are rotatable with respect to each other. 
     
     
         4 . Method according to  claim 2 , wherein the ends ( 22 ) of the support elements ( 20 ) which are positioned on the ground ( 21 ) in the final position are provided with wheels, and wherein the wheels as mentioned are allowed to roll over the ground ( 21 ) when the support elements ( 20 ) perform a hinging movement with respect to the bridge body ( 10 ) as the whole of the bridge body ( 10 ) and the support elements ( 20 ) is put from the starting position to the final position. 
     
     
         5 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein, in the starting position, the support elements ( 20 ) are slideably arranged in the bridge body ( 10 ), at opposite sides of the bridge body ( 10 ), and wherein the support elements ( 20 ) are allowed to perform a sliding movement with respect to the bridge body ( 10 ) when the bridge body ( 10 ) and the support elements ( 20 ) are put in the final position. 
     
     
         6 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the separate device is activated for exerting a pulling force on the whole of the bridge body ( 10 ) and the support elements ( 20 ) in an upward direction. 
     
     
         7 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the bridge body ( 10 ) and the support elements ( 20 ) are fixed with respect to each other when the final position has been reached. 
     
     
         8 . Method according to  claim 7 , wherein a snap connection is established between the bridge body ( 10 ) and the support elements ( 20 ) when the final position has been reached. 
     
     
         9 . Method according to  claim 7 , wherein fastening means are provided, and wherein the fastening means are arranged at positions where the bridge body ( 10 ) and the support elements ( 20 ) contact each other. 
     
     
         10 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the separate device which is applied for exerting the force on the whole of the bridge body ( 10 ) and the support elements ( 20 ) in an upward direction is a hoisting device. 
     
     
         11 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the bridge body ( 10 ) and the support elements ( 20 ) are provided by means of a truck comprising a crane, and wherein the crane as mentioned is applied for exerting the force which is used for putting the bridge body ( 10 ) and the support elements ( 20 ) from the starting position to the final position. 
     
     
         12 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the separate device which is applied for exerting the force on the whole of the bridge body ( 10 ) and the support elements ( 20 ) in an upward direction is a lifting device. 
     
     
         13 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the support elements ( 20 ) are provided in the form of stair cases ( 30 ). 
     
     
         14 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein staircases ( 30 ) are provided and attached to the whole of the bridge body ( 10 ) and the support elements ( 20 ) when the final position has been reached. 
     
     
         15 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the support elements ( 20 ) comprise a portion ( 31 ) of staircases ( 30 ), and wherein another portion ( 31 ,  32 ) of the staircases ( 30 ) is provided and attached to the whole of the bridge body ( 10 ) and the support elements ( 20 ) when the final position has been reached. 
     
     
         16 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the bridge body ( 10 ) and the support elements ( 20 ) are provided by means of a truck, and wherein, in the truck, the support elements ( 20 ) are stored in a space offered by the bridge body ( 10 ). 
     
     
         17 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein, in the final position, the end ( 22 ) of at least one support element ( 20 ) which is positioned on the ground ( 21 ) is fixed to the ground ( 21 ). 
     
     
         18 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein, in the final position, the position of the bridge body ( 10 ) with respect to the horizontal is adjusted by adjusting the position of at least one support element ( 20 ) with respect to the ground ( 21 ). 
     
     
         19 . Method for bringing down a bridge ( 1 ,  2 ) which has been erected by carrying out the method according to  claim 8 , wherein the snap connection between the bridge body ( 10 ) and the support elements ( 20 ) is released by exerting a force on the whole of the bridge body ( 10 ) and the support elements ( 20 ) in an upward direction. 
     
     
         20 . Mobile bridge ( 1 ,  2 ) comprising a bridge body ( 10 ) and at least two support elements ( 20 ) for supporting the bridge body ( 10 ) on the ground, which is arranged to be erected by carrying out the method according to  claim 1 , wherein the bridge body ( 10 ) and the support elements ( 20 ) are adapted to assume various positions with respect to each other, and wherein the support elements ( 20 ) are adapted to be movably associated with the bridge body ( 10 ) in a starting position. 
     
     
         21 . Mobile bridge ( 1 ,  2 ) according to  claim 20 , wherein the bridge body ( 10 ) and the support elements ( 20 ) are adapted to be hingeably connected to each other, at opposite sides of the bridge body ( 10 ). 
     
     
         22 . Mobile bridge ( 1 ,  2 ) according to  claim 21 , wherein one of the bridge body ( 10 ) and the support elements ( 20 ) comprises a shaft, and wherein another of the bridge body ( 10 ) and the support elements ( 20 ) comprises a hook for engaging with the shaft. 
     
     
         23 . Mobile bridge ( 1 ,  2 ) according to  claim 21 , wherein ends ( 22 ) of the support elements ( 20 ) are provided with wheels. 
     
     
         24 . Mobile bridge ( 1 ,  2 ) according to  claim 20 , wherein the support elements ( 20 ) are adapted to be slideably arranged in the bridge body ( 10 ), at opposite sides of the bridge body ( 10 ). 
     
     
         25 . Mobile bridge ( 1 ,  2 ) according to  claim 20 , comprising at least one element which is suitable for allowing a separate device to engage with the bridge ( 1 ,  2 ) and to exert a force on the bridge ( 1 ,  2 ) in an upward direction. 
     
     
         26 . Mobile bridge ( 1 ,  2 ) according to  claim 20 , wherein both the bridge body ( 10 ) and the support elements ( 20 ) are provided with elements which are adapted to establish a snap connection between the bridge body ( 10 ) and the support elements ( 20 ) when the elements are put in contact with each other. 
     
     
         27 . Mobile bridge ( 1 ,  2 ) according to  claim 20 , wherein the support elements ( 20 ) are formed like stair cases ( 30 ). 
     
     
         28 . Mobile bridge ( 1 ,  2 ) according to  claim 20 , further comprising at least two staircases ( 30 ) which are adapted to be attached to the bridge ( 1 ,  2 ). 
     
     
         29 . Mobile bridge ( 1 ,  2 ) according to  claim 20 , wherein the support elements ( 20 ) comprise a portion ( 31 ) of staircases ( 30 ), and wherein the bridge ( 1 ,  2 ) further comprises at least two elements which are formed like another portion ( 31 ,  32 ) of the staircases ( 30 ), and which are adapted to be attached to the bridge ( 1 ,  2 ). 
     
     
         30 . Mobile bridge ( 1 ,  2 ) according to  claim 20 , wherein the support elements ( 20 ) fit in a space offered by the bridge body ( 10 ) for the purpose of transport of the bridge ( 1 ,  2 ).