Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
211 words
A bridge section of desired length and width, comprising: a pair of separate, spaced apart bearing supports; a composite deck spanning said bearing supports and being supported by the same, said deck including a substantially planar structural metallic plate presenting generally flat, opposed upper and lower faces and having a thickness of at least about 1/4 inch, said plate being longer than it is wide, and having length and width dimensions substantially similar to that of said desired length and width; a plurality of separate force-transmitting elements each including an upstanding portion and mechnical interlock structure at the upper end of the portion; respective force-transmitting welds securing the lower ends of said upstanding portions to the upper face of said plate; and a layer of concrete over said plate and having length and width dimensions substantially similar to those of said plate, at least a portion of said upstanding element portions and said interlock structures being embedded within said concrete layer, said concrete layer being of a thickness such that the vertical distance from the upper ends of said elements to the upper surface of said concrete layer remote from said plate is greater than the vertical height of said elements, said deck being self-supporting in span between said bearing supports.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
211 words
A bridge section of desired length and width, comprising: a pair of separate, spaced apart bearing supports; a composite deck spanning said bearing supports and being supported by the same, said deck including a substantially planar structural metallic plate presenting generally flat, opposed upper and lower faces and having a thickness of at least about 1/4 inch, said plate being longer than it is wide, and having length and width dimensions substantially similar to that of said desired length and width; a plurality of separate force-transmitting elements each including an upstanding portion and mechnical interlock structure at the upper end of the portion; respective force-transmitting welds securing the lower ends of said upstanding portions to the upper face of said plate; and a layer of concrete over said plate and having length and width dimensions substantially similar to those of said plate, at least a portion of said upstanding element portions and said interlock structures being embedded within said concrete layer, said concrete layer being of a thickness such that the vertical distance from the upper ends of said elements to the upper surface of said concrete layer remote from said plate is greater than the vertical height of said elements, said deck being self-supporting in span between said bearing supports.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The section as set forth in claim 1 wherein said plate is about five-sixteenths inch in thickness.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The section as set forth in claim 1 wherein said plate is formed of self-rusting steel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The section as set forth on claim 1 wherein said concrete layer is dimensioned for a minimum centerspan thickness to span length ratio of about 1:32.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The section as set forth in claim 1 including a plurality of lightweight, high volume weight-reducing elements embedded in said concrete layer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The section as set forth in claim 1 including a layer of thermal insulation between said concrete layer and plate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The section as set forth in claim 1 including wire mesh embedded in said concrete layer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The section as set forth in claim 1 including heating means within said concrete layer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The section as set forth in claim 1 wherein said plate has a width of at least about 4 feet.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The section as set forth in claim 1 wherein said plate has a width of from about 8 to 10 feet.