GB2310237A - Portable inflatable walkway/bridge - Google Patents

Description

FAST BEAM BRIDGE Discription Fig 1. is a cross-section of a fast beam bridge. Fig 1/A. is a hollow inflatable section which can be made of varios material such as canvass, or rubber. Fig 1/B. is a hollow section into which rigid tubing Fig 1/C is pushed through, Fig 1/D. shows supporting straps crossing the pathway area shown as fig 1/I. which also may have interwoven support such as wire mesh etc. The cross supports/staps Fig 1/D can be intergrated into the structure or added later. Fig 1/E shows that section 1/A can be broken down into sections, and have valves. this is a safety feature should one section be punctured, as shown in Fig 1/F.

In addition the bridge/walkway, can have a canopy shown as Fig 1/G. This also can be intergrated, and supported by means of inflatable tubing, or can be added later. Fig 1/H shows that lights may be intergrated or agian added later. Fig 1/J shows optional safety line, to which personal safety lines can be attached for example.

Fig 2. shows the action of the bridge assembly. Fig 2/A shows hollow tube, which when inflated by a commpression source Fig 2/C. will force section Fig 2/B. to unroll. Fig 2/D. shows a single inflatable hollow tube and ridgid tube. Fig 2/E. is a rope. Figs 2/D, and 2/E, shows two of the many additional supports that can be used to support unfolding roll Fig 2/B.

Fig 3. shows a sample of cross-sections, of which there may be many possible configarations. In Fig 1/ 1/A, and 1/B, shows an angled view of just one of the possible configafations.

Fig 4. shows a cross-section of the different tube, or rail shapes that can be pushed into the section as marked Fig 1/B Fig 5. Shows one of the many possible anchor systems When bridge roll is fully open. When tubes/rails reach end they can if nessasary lock into anchor section to increase stabillity.

Fig 6. Shows a mechanism for rewinding bridge, this can be manual, or power assisted. In Fig 6 there are rollers to sqeeze out excess air and brushes to clean and remove debry.

Fig 7. shows two of the many support systems that can be added after initial construe n, This can be done using a suspension system, or by the addition of support systems underneath, such as beams,for example acros, etc.

A fast beam bridge. can be constructed accross an open space, water, or unfirm ground etc, Useing the same principlezeaay7atuatxQsSiEfsshap,e size, and material can be used. Fig 2. shows the basic action of laying the bridge, by filling the hollow tubes Fig 1/A with gases, air, or liquids at various rates of pressure will unroll the body of the bridge. When air is used it will create a floating structure. If a light gas is used such as Helium it will reduce the downward pressure.

On unstable ground it may not be nessasary to use supporting tubes/rails, etc. To construct bridge accross an unsupported space can be acchived from one side only, and at speed. Small space may be crossed by rapidly compressing section Fig 1/A. At centre of roll can be various types of anchors, Fig 5, shows a claw type system whereby the weight pulling back will cause claws to anchor into ground.

Tubes and rails can be sectional, or interlocking, may be fed into hollow section Fig 1/B.

Fig 4, shows various crossections of tubes, and rails, to cross unsupported spaces Useing the same principle a single lightweight inflateable:rolljwith anchor at centre of roll can be compressed rapidly to cross a greater distance, then tube can be pushed through to create a single support then two or more will provide sufficient support for main body of bridge to cross, other supports such as ropes, wire, etc can also be used.

Once bridge is constructed, and supporting tubes/rails are in place, it would then be possible to increace load bearing useing known suspention, or pillar supporting systems, as shown in Fig 7. These structures would be attached to the tubes/rails, or crossbeams, etc.

When disassembling bridge, the roll can be rewound useing various systems.

Fig 6 shows a hand wound system useing rollers to squeeze out air, and brushes to clean the surfaces.

Claims (2)

1. A fast beam bridge. can be constructed accross an open space, water, or unfirm ground etc, Useing the same principleznapy7x2riatirss ;f sShape size, and material can be used. Fig
2. 2. shows the basic action of laying the bridge, by filling the hollow tubes Fig 1/A with gases, air, or liquids at various rates of pressure will unroll the body of the bridge. When air is used it will create a floating structure. If a light gas is used such as Helium it will reduce the downward pressure.

   On unstable ground it may not be nessasary to use supporting tubes/rails, etc. To construct bridge accross an unsupported space can be acchived from one side only, and at speed. Small space may be crossed by rapidly compressing section Fig 1/A. At centre of roll can be various types of anchors, Fig 5, shows a claw type system whereby the weight pulling back will cause claws to anchor into ground.

   Tubes and rails can be sectional, or interlocking, may be fed into hollow section Fig 1/B.

   Fig 4, shows various crossections of tubes, and rails, to cross unsupported spaces Useing the same principle a single lightweight inflateable roll with anchor at centre of roll can be compressed rapidly to cross a greater distance, then tube can be pushed through to create a single support then two or more will provide sufficient support for main body of bridge to-cross, other supports such as ropes, wire, etc can also be used.

   Once bridge is constructed, and supporting tubes/rails are in place, it would then be possible to increace load bearing useing known suspention, or pillar supporting systems, as shown in Fig 7. These structures would be attached to the tubes/rails, or crossbeams, etc.

   When disassembling bridge, the roll can be rewound useing various systems.

   Fig 6 shows a hand wound system useing rollers to squeeze out air, and brushes to clean the surfaces.