US4393533A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for lap-joint engagement of two bridge elements on intrados or extrados and bridge element comprising it
Assignee: Direction Générale de l'Armement
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Filing: 1981-08-03
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Granted: 1983-07-19
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Expires: 2001-08-03
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to means for connecting two fixed or floating bridge elements together. A first bridge element comprises at least two retractable studs (1, 2) oriented obliquely with respect to the surface of the element, one on the intrados and the other on the extrados, so as to cooperate with a recess (3', 4') either of the extrados or of the intrados of a second bridge element. This invention may be used to assemble all types of bridges.
Inventors
- 👤 Michel E. Terrien
- 👤 Claude Bouvet
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 16:22
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63B; B63B35/00; B63B35/34; B63B35/38; E; E01; E01D; E01D15/00; E01D15/12; E01D15/133; E01D15/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
A device for permitting the lap joint connection of two bridge elements, a lower bridge element and an upper bridge element, on intrados or extrados, the lower bridge element being capable of becoming the upper bridge element and vice versea, comprising: a means for centering the two bridge elements with respect to each other when they assume an overlapping configuration; and a means for connecting the two bridge elements, the connecting means comprising at least two retractable studs belonging to the first bridge element and located on axes oblique with respect to the surface of the first bridge element, the tow studs being adapted to cooperate with at least two recesses in a second bridge element, the recesses having the same inclination with respect to the surface of the second bridge element as the studs have with respect to the surface of the first bridge element.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
146 words
A device for permitting the lap joint connection of two bridge elements, a lower bridge element and an upper bridge element, on intrados or extrados, the lower bridge element being capable of becoming the upper bridge element and vice versea, comprising: a means for centering the two bridge elements with respect to each other when they assume an overlapping configuration; and a means for connecting the two bridge elements, the connecting means comprising at least two retractable studs belonging to the first bridge element and located on axes oblique with respect to the surface of the first bridge element, the tow studs being adapted to cooperate with at least two recesses in a second bridge element, the recesses having the same inclination with respect to the surface of the second bridge element as the studs have with respect to the surface of the first bridge element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein the retractable studs debouch on the extrados of the first bridge element and the recesses debouch on the intrados of the second bridge element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein the retractable studs debouch on the intrados of the first bridge element and the recesses debouch on the extrados of the second bridge element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
63 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein the first bridge element comprises a first retractable stud debouching on its intrados and a second retractable stud on its extrados, and the second bridge element comprises a first recess on the extrados and a second on the intrados, the first and second recesses cooperating with the first and second studs of the first bridge element.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
68 words
A device according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein a first bridge element comprises at least one row of two retractable studs, each row of studs being arranged along an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first bridge element, the second bridge element having at least one row of recesses adapted to cooperate with the studs of the first bridge element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
67 words
A device according to claim 5, wherein the centering means for the two bridge elements comprises a retractable centering finger of the first bridge element, located along an axis perpendicular to the surface of the first bridge element, in the highest part of the structure of said first bridge element and adapted to cooperate with a corresponding recess provided in the end of the second bridge element.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device according to claim 6, further comprising a means for locking the centering finger in an extended position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
A device according to claim 7, wherein the means for locking the centering finger comprises a fixed key borne by the centering finger which engages a keyway in the second bridge element.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
A device according to claim 7, wherein the means for locking the centering finger comprises a movable key of the second bridge element which cooperates with a borehole in the centering finger of the first bridge element.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
84 words
A bridge element employing the system of connection of two bridge elements arranged overlapped either on the extrados or on the intrados, as defined in claim 1, wherein the highest part of the bridge element has at least one retractable centering finger, the axis of which is perpendicular to the surface of the bridge element; and the other end of the bridge element has at least one hollow recess adapted to receive a centering finger and to lock it by means of a key.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
120 words
A bridge element according to claim 10, further comprising at least one row, arranged transversely on the element, of retractable studs located on axes oblique with respect to the surface of the bridge element, each row being comprised of sets of two studs, one debouching on the intrados and the other debouching on the extrados of the bridge element; and at least one row of recesses arranged with the same inclination as the studs, each row of recesses being comprised of sets of two recesses, one debouching on the intrados and the other debouching on the extrados, the recesses being placed so as to cooperate with a plurality of studs of a second bridge element which is to be assembled.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
89 words
A bridge element according to claim 10, further comprising at least one row, arranged transversely on the bridge element, of retractable studs located on axes oblique with respect to the surface of the bridge element, each row being formed of sets of two studs both debouching on the same surface of the bridge element which is either intrados or extrados; and at least one row of recesses debouching on the opposite surface so as to cooperate with the studs of a second bridge element which is to be assembled.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-07-18 | 1987-01-17 | 1987-07-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-07-18 | 1991-01-17 | 1991-07-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-07-18 | 1995-01-17 | 1995-07-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |