Integration of configurable material movement system with conventional bridge paving equipment

Abstract

A bridge construction and configurable gantry crane equipment kit includes plurality of interconnectable trusses, support legs, and interchangeable carriages. Each of the interconnectable trusses are attachable to each other. The plurality of interconnectable trusses is configured to form frame structures having varying lengths. The support legs are attachable to the frame structures. The support legs are configured to elevate the frame structures. The interchangeable carriages are configured to engage the frame structures such that the carriages are movable along the lengths of the support structures. At least one of the interchangeable carriages includes paving equipment. At least one of the interchangeable carriages includes material transportation equipment.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bridge construction system comprising:
 a frame structure having first and second ends;   support legs (i) extending downward from the frame structure proximate to the first and second ends and (ii) configured to elevate the frame structure; and   a plurality of spaced-apart carriages (i) disposed on the frame structure and (ii) movable along the frame structure between the first and second ends.   
     
     
         2 . The bridge construction system of  claim 1  further comprising at least one actuator configured to adjust positions of the carriages along the frame structure between the first and second ends. 
     
     
         3 . The bridge construction system of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one actuator is configured to adjust the positions of each of the carriages independently. 
     
     
         4 . The bridge construction system of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one actuator is configured to adjust the positions of each of the carriages simultaneously such that relative distances between each of the carriages is maintained. 
     
     
         5 . The bridge construction system of  claim 1  further comprising lifts secured to each of the carriages, wherein the lifts are configured to raise and lower loads. 
     
     
         6 . The bridge construction system of  claim 1 , wherein the support legs include wheels, and wherein a position of the bridge construction system is adjustable along the wheels in a direction that is transverse to a direction extending between the first and second ends. 
     
     
         7 . The bridge construction system of  claim 1 , wherein frame structure includes a plurality of trusses. 
     
     
         8 . The bridge construction system of  claim 7 , wherein adjacent trusses of the plurality of trusses are secured to each other via pins. 
     
     
         9 . A bridge construction system comprising:
 a frame structure having first and second ends;   support legs (i) extending downward from the frame structure proximate to the first and second ends and (ii) configured to elevate the frame structure;   a carriage (i) disposed on the frame and (ii) movable between the first and second ends of the frame structure; and   a support beam (i) rotatably secured to the carriage and (i) configured to pivot relative to the carriage and the frame structure.   
     
     
         10 . The bridge construction system of  claim 9  further comprising an actuator (i) secured to the carriage and (ii) configured to pivot the support beam relative to the carriage. 
     
     
         11 . The bridge construction system of  claim 9  further comprising at least one lift each secured to the support beam, wherein the at least one lift is configured to raise and lower loads. 
     
     
         12 . The bridge construction system of  claim 9  further comprising at least one hook or loop each secured to the support beam, wherein the at least one hook or loop is configured to engage and support construction materials. 
     
     
         13 . A bridge construction equipment kit comprising:
 a plurality of interconnectable trusses (i) attachable to each other and (ii) configured to form frame structures having varying lengths;   support legs (i) attachable to the frame structures and (ii) configured to elevate the frame structures; and   interchangeable carriages configured to engage the frame structures such that the carriages are movable along the lengths of the frame structures, wherein (i) at least one of the interchangeable carriages includes paving equipment and (ii) at least one of the interchangeable carriages includes material transportation equipment.   
     
     
         14 . The bridge construction equipment kit of  claim 13 , wherein the paving equipment includes a paving roller, a drag pan, a vibrator, and an auger. 
     
     
         15 . The bridge construction equipment kit of  claim 13 , wherein the material transportation equipment includes a support beam (i) rotatably secured to the lower end of a first of the carriages and (ii) configured to pivot relative to the first of the carriages. 
     
     
         16 . The bridge construction equipment kit of  claim 15 , wherein the material transportation equipment includes at least one hook or loop (i) secured to the support beam and (ii) configured to engage and support materials. 
     
     
         17 . The bridge construction equipment kit of  claim 16 , wherein the material transportation equipment includes at least one lift secured to the support beam, wherein the at least one lift is configured to raise and lower materials. 
     
     
         18 . The bridge construction equipment kit of  claim 13 , wherein the material transportation equipment includes lifts secured to at least one of the interchangeable carriages, wherein the lifts are configured to raise and lower materials. 
     
     
         19 . The bridge construction equipment kit of  claim 13 , wherein that at least one of the interchangeable carriages includes a main body supportable on the frame structures and a platform offset from the main body. 
     
     
         20 . The bridge construction equipment kit of  claim 19  further comprising a generator disposed on the platform and operable to power the material transportation equipment.