Portable floating apparatus

Portable floating apparatus is disclosed herein having a plurality of floatable platforms arranged in end-to-end hingable relationship so as to provide a continuous, extendible bridge. Each platform includes inflatable buoyant tubes carried on the sides thereof and having a rigid support member disposed between and coupled to the side buoyant tubes. The sides of the support member are provided with recesses for storage of the tubes in their deflated conditon. The buoyant tubes of each platform are in fluid communication with the buoyant tubes of adjacent platforms whereby a common inflation device not only inflates the tubes but deploys the plurality of platforms in a selected direction.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to inflatable and portable floating 
structures and more particularly to a novel apparatus of this type and 
class which includes a plurality of hingable platforms providing a 
continuous and extensible bridging structure. 
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art 
In the past, it has been the conventional practice to bridge or cross 
bodies of water such as rivers, streams or the like by means of portable 
bridging structures. These structures are generally light in weight and 
are adapted to be transported over land to the erection site where the 
parts and pieces are manually put together so that the water-way can be 
crossed. In some instances, the component parts of the bridging structure 
are quite heavy and a conventional type of bridge is referred to as the 
"Bailey bridge" which was used extensively in military operations. In 
other instances, lightweight wooden platforms have been detachably 
connected together and covered with steel plate so that a suitable 
supporting surface is provided between the opposite banks of a river or 
stream. These portable floating structures are particularly adapted for 
civilian, military and emergency use when a bridge or a dock is required. 
Furthermore, such a structure is also useful for exploration and travel in 
unsettled territory and it may be used to provide a temporary roadway over 
terrian which is normally impassable to weighted vehicles such as motor 
vehicles and the like. 
Although numerous types and forms of portable floating structures have been 
previously proposed and are in use, problems and difficulties have been 
encountered which reduce the total effectiveness of these structures. Many 
of the structures have components which are constructed of many sections 
that require assemblage at the construction site and require disassembly 
each time the structure is moved. Also, the components of the structure 
have considerable bulk in their disassembled form and require substantial 
handling and storage space each time the components are moved. 
In some instances, inflatable structures have been provided such as is 
disclosed in U.S. Letters Pat. No. 2,423,832. However, the pontoon bridge 
disclosed therein employs components which are of a substantially heavy 
nature and requires a substantial amount of construction by skilled 
personnel at the assembly site. Other prior art devices have been 
encountered such as those disclosed in U.S. Letters Pat. No. 3,258,800 and 
3,466,685. Such construction as these latter patents disclose appear to be 
of a lightweight design and not readily suitable for accommodating 
weighted automotive or motor vehicles. Also, the device disclosed is not 
deployed in a selected direction by the mere inflation of the device. 
In view of the foregoing, it can be seen that a long standing need has 
existed to provide a lightweight, portable and inflatable bridging 
structure which may be readily deployed during the inflation procedure and 
which is of sufficient structural integrity to support and hold weighted 
objects such as motor vehicles and the like. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Accordingly, it is among the primary objects of the present invention to 
provide a novel bridging structure which includes a multiplicity or 
plurality individual platform units that are hinged together in an 
end-to-end relationship so as to provide a continuous and extendible 
bridging structure when deployed. Each of the platform units include a 
rigid platform having storage recesses on its opposite side for holding 
inflatable tube members or elements. Means interconnect the tubes from one 
platform unit to another so that upon inflation, the platform units are 
readily deployed in a selected direction as the outermost units are 
inflated in order. Means are provided for securing or coupling the tubes 
to the opposite sides of the respective platform units whereby a flexible 
connection strap is produced and suitable inflation means are provided for 
either inflating each of the tubes associated with a platform unit per se 
or by inflating all of the tubes at one time by a single inflation means. 
In one form of the invention, the platform is composed of a relatively 
rigid material having internal ribs extending longitudinally so as to 
provide support. Also, when in storage covers are provided for the 
opposite sides of the platform units so that the recess is covered for 
enclosing the respective inflatable tubes. 
In other embodiments of the invention, the platform unit may be composed of 
a plastic-like material such as a polystyrene expanded bead construction 
and the storage compartments for the tubes may be located so as to deploy 
the tube from the bottom of the platform rather than from the side. 
Suitable hand rails or hand supports are hingably carried on the top 
surface of the platform units to aid personnel in crossing the stream or 
river using the bridging structure. 
Therefore, it is among the primary objects of the present invention to 
provide a novel bridging structure which is inflatable and by means of 
inflation provides directional deployment of the bridging structure across 
a river or stream. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel bridging 
structure composed of a plurality of hingable platform units having 
inflation means carried on opposite sides of each platform unit wherein 
the inflatable means are readily stored in side or bottom storage 
compartments on each of the platform units. 
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel 
inflatable bridging structure which is capable of being rapidly deployed 
from a stowed or stored condition so as to provide a sturdy and dependable 
support for personnel and motor vehicles such as is demanded in modern 
military service. 
Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a novel 
inflatable bridging structure which includes inflatable means carried on 
opposite sides of a plurality of platform units which may be readily 
deployed by inflation of the inflatable means so that a coextensive and 
expandable bridging structure may be cantilevered outwardly from an 
assembly site in a desired direction. 
A further object resides in providing a novel emergency personnel support 
adapted to be employed in rescue procedures involving the crossing or 
bridging of ice and snow surface, muskeg or bogg terrain or the like.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring to FIG. 1, the novel bridging apparatus of the present invention 
is shown in the general direction of arrow 10 and includes a plurality of 
individual platform units identified by numeral 11. Each platform unit is 
identical to others in the plurality and the platform units are connected 
together by hinge means in an end-to-end relationship. As shown in FIG. 1, 
the platform units are in their storage condition for transportation 
purposes or for storage at a construction or assemblage site. Each of the 
platform units are provided with lateral storage compartments such as 
represented by numerals 12 and 13 located on opposite sides of the 
elongated platform unit 11. The storage compartments are occupied in the 
storage condition by inflatable means. The inflatable means are in their 
deflated condition when stored within the storage compartments 12 and 13 
and the inflatable means is shown by numeral 14 in a general manner. 
With respect to FIG. 2, the bridging apparatus is shown as being partially 
extended by inflation of the inflation means 14 on opposite sides of each 
of the respective platform units. The inflation means associated with each 
platform unit are inflated in a sequence commencing with the outboard or 
first platform unit in the series followed in succession by the next 
platform unit thereto and so forth. By this procedure, the platform units 
are forced into a selected direction such as is indicated by arrow 15. 
Also, it can be seen in FIG. 2 that the platform units are hinged together 
at alternate ends so that an accordian arrangement is produced. For 
example, the first platform unit 11 is hinged to platform unit 11' at 
their adjacent ends by hinge means 16. In the stack shown in FIG. 1, hinge 
16 is at the top of the stack while the adjacent ends of platform units 11 
and 11' at the bottom of the stack do not incorporate a hinge. However, in 
the next arrangement of platform units, platform unit 11" includes a hinge 
17 located at the bottom of the stack when in the storage position shown 
in FIG. 1. This relationship is again shown in the next pair of platform 
units wherein the hinge is disposed at the bottom adjacent ends of the 
next pair of platform units. In order to achieve directional deployment of 
the multiplicity of platform units, the respective inflation means on 
opposite sides of each of the panels are connected in fluid communication 
with adjacent inflation means on the next platform unit in the series and 
on the same side of the apparatus. Therefore, when a pressurized fluid is 
introduced into the inflation means 14, the first platform unit 11 will 
inflate and push out forwardly from the stack and then the next platform 
unit 11' will have its inflation means inflated so as to push out from the 
stack and the remaining platform units will be so inflated accordingly. 
As shown in FIG. 3, the plurality of platform units are fully deployed and 
extend from one bank 18 of a stream 19 to the opposite bank 20. The first 
platform unit in the series is identified by numeral 11 and is partially 
resting on the bank 20 while the remainder of the plurality of platform 
units extend across the water on the top surface thereof back to the 
deployment site on bank 18. Once the units have been so deployed, hand 
rails 21 may be elevated on opposite sides of the platform units and these 
may be readily grasped by personnel using the bridging structure. A 
feature of the invention resides in the fact that a high load or support 
factor is provided inasmuch as the platform units are supported by their 
undersides in immediate contact with the surface of the water. Therefore, 
all loads which are placed on the platform units are distributed over the 
unit to the surface of the supporting water therebeneath. For this reason, 
it is important to note that the inflatable means are at the sides of the 
platform units so that the platform unit may rest on the surface of the 
water while the buoyant inflatable means supports the units. 
Referring now in detail to FIG. 4, a platform unit such as unit 11 is 
illustrated wherein the inflatable means 14 on opposite sides of the unit 
are in their inflated and water supporting position. Means for inflating 
the inflation tubes 14 are represented by numeral 30 which is a source of 
high pressure air having suitable valve means coupled to the interior of 
the tubes. Inflation means 30' is associated with buoyant inflatable tube 
14'. It can be seen from this figure that the tubes 14 and 14' are coupled 
to the central platform 31 of the unit by flexible straps 32, 33, 34 and 
35 respectively. These straps retain the tubes when they are inflated. It 
is to be understood that during the inflation period, the tubes will 
expand out of their storage compartments on opposite sides of the platform 
unit and will extend laterally until restrained by the plurality of 
straps. The straps encircle the respective ends of the buoyant tubes and 
are attached to the platform 31. 
Referring now in detail to FIG. 5, it can be seen that the platform 31 is 
of a rigid material and incorporates a plurality of longitudinally 
extending ribs such as identified by numeral 36. The platform 31 is of a 
box-like structure having an upper panel 37 and a lower panel 38. The 
inflator 30' is disposed in a holder 40 between the opposing surfaces of 
panels 37 and 38. The opposite sides of the platform include storage 
compartments 41 and 42 which store the buoyant tubes 14 and 14' in a 
folded condition. For convenience in storage, snap on covers 43 and 44 are 
employed for protecting the expandable, inflatable tubes 14 and 14' while 
they are stored within the respective compartments. 
FIG. 6 is similar to the view of FIG. 5 illustrating the tube 14 in its 
stored position; however, tube 14' has been inflated by the inflater 30' 
so that it has expanded out of the storage compartment 42. Expansion of 
the tube is restrained by the strap 34 which encircles the tube and is 
fastened to the inner wall of the platform defining the compartment 42. A 
feature of the invention is illustrated wherein the tube is at the side of 
the platform unit so that the bottom panel 38 will rest on or slightly 
below the surface of the water depending on the applied load. Therefore, a 
relatively high strength to weight ratio platform unit may be employed. 
FIG. 9 illustrates one form of a hinge mechanism for joining the adjacent 
ends of platform units which takes the form of a hinge pin 45 joining 
platform units 11' with platform unit 11. In FIG. 8, another embodiment is 
illustrated wherein a flexible plastic impregnated strap 46 serves as a 
hinge between the units 11' and 11. In this embodiment, the tubes 14 
carried on the same side of the hinged platforms are interconnected by an 
air duct 47 so that a single high pressure device may supply air to more 
than one buoyant tube. Therefore, it is to be understood that the present 
invention includes a separate inflation means associated with each 
platform unit or a single inflation means may be employed when the 
inflation tubes are interconnected by the hinge ducts 47. 
In FIG. 7, another embodiment of the invention is illustrated wherein each 
of the platform units comprise platforms of a polystyrene foam composition 
and are respectively identified by numerals 50 and 51. These platforms are 
placed in tandum between floatation tubes 52, 53, 54 and 55. As was 
previously described, storage compartments are provided in the sides of 
the platforms for storing the inflatable units 52-55 inclusive. When 
inflated, these tubes are on the side of the platform units so that the 
platforms 50 and 51 either reside on the surface or immediately below the 
surface of the water. For tandum use, a surface platform 56 is employed 
for supporting relatively heavy loads such as motor vehicles. 
In view of the foregoing, it can be seen that the bridging apparatus of the 
present invention provides a novel means for spanning or crossing a body 
of water such as a river or stream. The apparatus is directionally 
deployed by means of selective inflation of a plurality of platform units 
in a proper sequence so that the plurality of platform units unfold 
accordian style due to the expansion and inflation pressure of the device. 
The device may be conveniently stored in which case the buoyant inflation 
tubes are maintained within storage compartments on the sides of each of 
the platform units and covers are provided for protecting the deflated 
tubes. Upon inflation, the covers will automatically snap off as the tubes 
expand due to the inflation pressure. Inflation pressure may be provided 
from a common inflation means to all of the tubes or each platform unit 
may contain and carry its own inflation unit. 
While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and 
described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and 
modifications may be made without departing from this invention in its 
broader aspects and, therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover 
all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and 
scope of this invention.