An extensible movable bridge assembly for use in building tunnels

Abstract: An extensible bridge assembly is disclosed for performing, in a tunnel being built, tunnel build­ ing operations such as the loading of mines, affixing of reinforcing ribs, laying of nets and the like. This extensible bridge assembly essentially comprises a bridge frame (1), affixed to a truck, on the chassis (3) of which there are articulated two raising arms (12, 17), bearing a counter-platform (18) which, in turn, sup­ ports a platform (21) provided with legs (30). These component parts, in particular, com­ prise piston oleodinamic systems (14, 23, 30) to drive the component parts in an independent way from one another. The truck is substantially used both as a stabilizing ballast, for stabilizing a bridge assembly being extended, and as a transport means, to be used as the bridge assembly is closed and the stabilizer elements (5) raised.

Description: The present invention relates to an extensible movable bridge assembly, comprising several cooperating parts for performing, in a tunnel being built, operations such as the loading of mines, laying of reinforcing ribs and nets and the like. The document FR-A-2 266 656 discloses an extensible movable bridge assembly having substantially the features of the pre-characterizing part of the main claim. The aim of the present invention, is to provide such an extensible movable bridge assembly which can be quickly and easily moved and installed. Within the scope of the above mentioned aim, a main object of the invention is to provide such an extensible movable bridge assembly which is very simple construction wise and very reliable in operation. According to one aspect of the present invention, the above mentioned aim and objects, as well as yet other objects, which will become more apparent hereinafter, are achieved by an extensible movable bridge assembly for use in building tunnels, having the features of the characterizing part of the main claim. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further characteristics and advantages of the extensible movable bridge assembly according to the present invention, will become more apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred, though not exclusive, embodiment of the extensible movable bridge assembly according to the invention which is illustrated, by way of an indicative but not limitative example, in the accompanying drawings, where: Figure 1 is a side view illustrating the subject extensible movable bridge assembly mounted on a truck and in its fully closed and fully open positions; Figure 2 is a rear view of the extensible bridge assembly in its fully closed and fully open positions. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings, the extensible movable bridge assembly for making tunnels according to the invention, comprises a bridge frame, overally indicated at the reference number 1, which is affixed, by four brackets 2, to the chassis of a truck 3. The bridge frame essentially comprises four section members HE, (4), extending horizontally and welded, at respective end portions thereof, to two section members "HE", of like cross-section, so as to define a rectangular construction. At the corners of this rectangular construction there are are provided corresponding stabilizing pistons 5 which are bolted to welded metal sheet box-like bodies 6. To these section members HE (4), there is welded a central body 7, made of welded sheet metal and which is arranged at the cabin of the truck. This central body comprises four hinges for pivotably coupling raising arm members for raising a counter-platform which will be disclosed in a more detailed way hereinafter. There are moreover provided a first access ladder 8, two guard walls 9 and 10 and a second ladder 11 for accessing the platform. The top raising arm, indicated at 12, comprises four C-shape section members welded in pairs and mutually spaced by a L-shape section member lattice 13. This top raising arm bears a hinge coupling portion for pivotably coupling the head portion of a raising piston 14 which is also articulated to the beams 4 of the frame. The top arm, moreover, is articulated, at one end thereof, to the central body and, at the other end thereof, to a central body 15 for supporting the above mentioned counter-platform. As the arm 12 is arranged at a lowered position, it will rest, through the legs 16, on the frame 1. With the above disclosed raising arm 12 co-operates, at the bottom, a second raising arm 17, also made of four C-shape section members, welded in pairs and mutually spaced by a L-shape section member lattice 13'. This second raising arm, in turn, is pivoted, at one end thereof, to said central body 7 and, at the other end thereof, to the central body 15 of the counter-platform 18. The above mentioned central body 15 is made of a welded and suitably ribbed metal sheet, and bears the pivot hinges for the raising arms 12 and 17. The counter-platform, in turn, comprises beams HE, (19), welded to the central body 15 and bearing horizontal rollers 20 on which a platform, overally indicated at 21, can slide. There are moreover provided vertical-axis rollers 22 for laterally restraining the sliding platform 21 on the counter-platform 18. The above platform, in particular, is driven by a cylinder 23 which is respectively pivoted to said platform and counter-platform 18. The platform 21 comprises moreover guard walls 24, a floor 25, made of HE and IPE beams, a sheet metal covering, as well as abutment rollers 26 for said beams 19, which rollers are provided for sliding said platform along said counter-platform 18. A leg bearing frame 27 is moreover provided, made of square-cross-section tubular elements, in the inside of said frame 27 there being provided tracks 28, made of C-shape section members, and bearing a panel on which slide the wheels 29 of leg or wing members 30. These legs are arranged under the mentioned floor 25 and are included in said frame 27 which, on vertical sides thereof, supports roller pairs 31 for restraining said legs. Said legs, in particular are provided with removable galleries 32 and comprise a respective piston 33 for driving said legs to perform extension and withdrawing movements. A main feature of the invention is that in the subject extensible movable bridge assembly, the stabilizing elements, raising arms, platform and legs are driven by means of independent drives. From the above disclosure it should be apparent that the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects. While the invention has been disclosed and illustrated with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, it should be apparent that the disclosed embodiment is susceptible to several modifications and variations all of which will come within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims: An extensible movable bridge assembly, for use in making tunnels, comprising a frame (1) fixed to a truck (3) on the chassis of which there are pivoted two raising arms (12) bearing a counter-platform (18), said counter-platform (18) supporting a platform (21) provided with leg members (30), oleodynamic piston means being moreover provided for driving the mentioned elements (12, 18, 21, 30) in an independent way from one another, characterized in that with said platform (21) there is rigid a leg member bearing frame (27) made of square cross-section tubular elements, in the inside of which there are provided C-shape section member tracks (28) bearing a panel on which slide wheels (29) of said leg members (30), said leg members (30) being arranged under a walking floor (25) of said platform (21) and being held in said leg member bearing frame (27) which also supports vertical axis roller pairs (31) for restraining said leg members (30). A bridge assembly, according to Claim 1, characterized in that said frame (1) is affixed to said truck (3) chassis by four brackets (2), said frame comprising four section members (HE), horizontally extending and welded, at end portions thereof, to two section members (HE), of like cross-section, so as to define a rectangular construction, stabilizing pistons (5) being affixed to the corners of said construction and bolted to welded sheet metal box-like bodies (6). An extensible movable bridge assembly, according to Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said assembly further comprises a central body (7) welded to said section members (HE), said central body (7) being made of welded ribbed sheet metal and arranged at the cab of said truck (3), said central body (7) including four hinges for pivotably coupling the arms for raising said counter-platform (18), said bridge further comprising a first ladder (8), two guard walls (9, 10), a second ladder (11) for accessing said platform (21) and the seat for the articulated coupling of the base of the raising piston (14). An extensible movable bridge assembly, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the top raising arm (12) comprises four C-shape section members welded in pairs and mutually spaced by a L-shape section member lattice (13), said top raising arm (12) bearing a hinge coupling for the head of said raising piston (14) which is also pivoted to the beams (4) of said frame, said top arm (12) being articulated, at one end thereof, to the central body (7) of said frame (1) and, at the other end thereof, to a central body (15) supporting said counter-platform (18). An extensible movable bridge assembly, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bottom raising arm (17) comprises four C-shape section members welded in pairs and mutually spaced by a L-shape section member lattice (13'), said bottom raising arm (17) being pivoted, at one end thereof, to said central body (7) and, at the opposite end thereof, to the central body (15) of said counter-platform (18). An extensible movable bridge assembly, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said central body (15) of said counter-platform (18) is made of a welded and ribbed sheet metal and bears the hinges for pivotally coupling said raising arms, said counter-platform (18) comprising HE beams (19), welded to said central body (15) and bearing horizontal rollers (20) thereon a platform can slide, vertical axis rollers (22) being moreover provided for slidingly displacing said platform (21) on said counter-platoform (18). An extensible movable bridge assembly, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said platform (21) comprises guard walls (24), a walking floor (25) made of HE and IPE beams, with a sheet metal covering, and abutment rollers (26) for the beams (19) of said counter-platform (18), said abutment rollers (26) being adapted to allow said platform (21) to slide along said counter-platform (18). An extensible movable bridge assembly, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said leg members (30) are provided with removable galleries (32) and comprise each a respective piston (33) driving a said leg member (30) to perform extending and withdrawing movements, said piston (33) being pivoted to its respective leg and to the leg bearing frame.

Inventors: CAVATTONI OMAR, CAVATTONI, OMAR
Applicants: CAVATTONI OMAR, CAVATTONI, OMAR
Application year: 1990
Main classification: B66F11
IPC codes: B66F11